
Analysts: US tariffs may harm relations, hinder trade with SE. Asian nations
Unilateral US tariffs on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian nations disrupt global trade and harm US relations with regional economies, Malaysian analysts have said. It is not surprising that the US is becoming more protectionist, Lee Pei May, a political expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia, told Xinhua in a recent interview, noting that Malaysia has already recognized this trend and taken measures accordingly. “The actions by the US are going to cause a slowdown in Malaysia’s solar panel and photovoltaic sector. The Malaysian government understands that we need to diversify our trade partners and that is one of the reasons why we applied to be part of the BRICS in the first place,” she said. Lee noted the irony that the US, which once claimed to be a leading advocate of globalization and free trade, has retreated from that stance. She also said she believes that…...