The United States and Malaysia: A Diverse and Expanding Partnership

"The United States and Malaysia share strong trade and investment ties and a commitment to generating prosperity through openness, democracy, and freedom."
                                                                         -- President George W. Bush

The United States and Malaysia share wide-ranging interests and strong people-to-people ties. We are building an even stronger economic partnership through our Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

Malaysia’s Regional and Global Role

Malaysia currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Malaysia responded quickly to neighboring East Timor’s distress and over 700 Malaysian military and police personnel are now helping maintain calm in East Timor.

Malaysia is facilitating negotiations between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and is a leading contributor to the Aceh Monitoring Mission.

A Robust Economic Partnership

Malaysia is the United States’ 10th-largest trading partner. Two-way bilateral trade totaled $44 billion in 2005 -- 60% more than U.S. trade with India.

The United States is the largest foreign investor in Malaysia, with American companies active in the energy, electronics and manufacturing sectors.

A successful U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement will benefit both countries.

A Strong Security Partner

Malaysian leaders have taken a strong stance against terrorism and the United States is working closely with the Malaysian Government to fight this global scourge.

Malaysia hosts the Southeast Asia Regional Center for Counterterrorism (SEARCCT), where over 1,100 officials from around the region have received training. The United States is the largest provider of training courses at SEARCCT.

The United States and Malaysia share a strong military-to-military relationship with numerous exchanges, training, joint exercises and visits.

Malaysia recently cemented its nonproliferation commitment by signing the International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol and has sent observers to Proliferation Security Initiative exercises.