ASEAN Must Embrace Regional Industrial Policy Amid US-China Rivalry 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- ASEAN should pursue a wide industrial policy amid the rising protectionism and tariff walls set off by the intensifying United States (US) and China rivalry. 

Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong stressed the importance of a regional strategy over a nationalistic approach to bolster economic security and strengthen supply chains within ASEAN.

"If we want to grow Malaysian technology, we will need some form of industrial policy. But, knowing that we do not have a huge domestic market, we cannot fully replicate what China and the US are doing," he said.

Liew made these remarks during the "Trade Policy: Global Protectionism, Tariff Walls, and Geopolitics" session at the Malaysia Economic Forum 2025 here today.

He also emphasised the collaboration between the semiconductor industry and other sectors such as automotive, defence, and agriculture to promote comprehensive technological integration.

"As a government, we aim to promote diffusions of technology. We want to see horizontal integration between the semiconductor, automotive, and the defence industries," he said.

Hence, the vision with that approach is that Malaysia would occupy an indispensable middle position technologically over the next 10 years.

Liew outlined his vision to position Malaysia as a key technological player over the next decade.

'We will not overtake China, Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan. However, beyond these countries, Malaysia will position itself just below them, occupying an interesting and indispensable middle ground,' he added

-- BERNAMA