Publication

This commentary examines Malaysia’s future economic policy in light of US President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to withdraw from the TPP. Such a move could have severe economic and political repercussions for the Southeast Asian nation, given its traditional hedging strategy vis-à-vis the US and China. Indeed, if the US reduces its involvement in Malaysia, and thereby creates an opportunity for China to increase its own influence, Kuala Lumpur may be forced to deepen its economic cooperation with Beijing in the future.