INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a meeting by means of video link with Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysias minister of investment,
trade and industry, as Malaysia currently holds the turning chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Chinas Ministry of
Commerce stated in a statement on Thursday.The 2 sides held thorough and honest exchanges on reinforcing China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN
financial and trade cooperation, in addition to collectively reacting to the so-called mutual tariffs raised by the United States.Wang said
these so-called mutual tariffs neglect the hard-won balance of interests accomplished through years of multilateral trade negotiations and
the truth that the United States has actually long benefited substantially from global trade.He explained the United States move as a
typical act of unilateral bullying that badly injures the legitimate rights and interests of countries, consisting of China and ASEAN
members.Wang included that the United States method also damages its own interests and threatens international financial growth and the
stability of commercial and supply chains, positioning a severe danger to the multilateral trading system.Wang stressed that China strongly
opposes such steps and has actually currently taken decisive countermeasures, including that China is all set to combat till completion if
the United States is set on going down the incorrect path.He also revealed Chinas readiness to reinforce interaction and coordination with
trading partners, including the ASEAN, and to fix particular concerns through discussion and consultation based upon mutual regard, in a
joint effort to safeguard the multilateral trading system.Zafrul stated Malaysias Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has already
provided a declaration opposing the United States policy, noting that it runs counter to the principles of free and fair trade as set out by
the World Trade Organization.Malaysia completely respects Chinas stance and is dedicated to collectively supporting multilateralism and the
improvement of global trade, the minister stated, including the country will take part in assessments with other ASEAN members to
collectively react to the so-called mutual tariffs and other moves proposed by the United States
