Morning Brief

Even as US President Donald Trump called for a 90-pause on US tariffs, he raised them to an eye-watering 145% on Chinese imports. In response, Beijing fired back with its own 125% tariffs on US goods. Todd Brighton, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Franklin Income Investors discusses whether this could be the end of free trade, and what strategies investors can consider adopting.

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Are gloves in Malaysia one sector that benefits from these tariffs? After all, a proposed 24% tariff is vastly lower than the 145% rate imposed on China. But do rising costs, cautious buyers, and potential supply gluts add pressure to glove markets? Oon Kim Hung, President of MARGMA (Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association) joins us to share his insights on the issue and its broader implications.

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Malaysia will be heading to Washington DC later this month to discuss the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US, which have now been paused, with the original 24% tariff reduced to 10%. Liew Chin Tong, the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry talks about the current situation and what Malaysia hopes to gain from the negotiation.

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The April 26 Ayer Kuning, Perak by-election tests Malaysia’s political coalitions, with BN, PN, and PSM contesting a BN stronghold. Analysts warn that low turnout or a split vote may reflect deeper disillusionment and influence future state election strategies. Prof. Azmi Hassan discusses its broader political implications.

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Malaysia is the fifth largest exporter of liquified natural gas (LNG) and has ambitions to become an ASEAN hub for LNG. How much does this align with the nation's energy transition plans and low-carbon economy aims? We discuss the future of LNG in the energy sector with Dr. Renato Lima de Oliveira of ASB and IDEAS.

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A US-China trade war has fully erupted, with sky-high tariffs coming into force from both sides. What impact will this have on China’s economy and will Beijing bring out its fiscal stimulus bazooka in response? We discuss this with economist Heron Lim of Moody’s Analytics.

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Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz at a press conference, responded to the US-imposed 24% tariffs with five key measures to cushion the impact on the economy and export sectors. The strategy centres on export diversification and trade ties—but questions remain if it relies too much on short-term fixes over deeper structural trade challenges. Dr. Calvin Cheong, Vice Dean and Associate Professor from the Sunway Business School joins us to break down the implications.

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The Housing Ministry has blacklisted 109 developers for failing to submit required reports on project progress and financials, undermining regulatory oversight. With persistent delays and abandoned projects, concerns grow over the effectiveness of existing checks. Dr. Joshua Netto, Immediate Past President of the Project Management Institute Malaysia Chapter, offers insights on whether deeper reform is needed.

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Vietnam was once a poster child of the "China Plus One" strategy as the nation became a popular destination for manufacturing giants wanting an inexpensive location and a skilled labour force. This followed US President Donald Trump's move to isolate Beijing during his first term in office. Daniel Moss, a Bloomberg opinion columnist, shares his take on how a second Trump presidency and its slapping of a 46% tariff on Vietnam has changed everything.

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The US has imposed a 24% reciprocal tariff on Malaysian imports, reduced from an earlier proposed 47% tied to trade imbalances. Key sectors—steel, aluminum, automobiles, and semiconductors—remain exempt. Malaysia has opted for diplomacy over retaliation, though growth projections have been revised downward. Azril Rosli, Economist at Maybank Investment Bank, shares his perspective on the long-term economic and global implications of this approach.

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