After President Donald Trump imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, Malaysia’s name continued to rise and emerged as a popular RnR for containers.
It was not tourists who came, but Chinese-made goods who wanted to ‘cleanse themselves’ before entering America.
According to a Bloomberg report, US traders began to be bombarded with offers from overseas agents who could help save on their import costs with one important condition: the goods would not be sent directly to China.
They had to pass through Malaysia first, change clothes, spray nasi lemak perfume, and then enter another country.
An online trader, Aaron Rubin, claimed to have been offered the tempting offer that would allow him to get a tax discount of up to $29,000, but he chose to reject it and report the agent to the authorities.
However, with tariffs rising in other countries, it is quite difficult for other traders to refuse this tempting offer, raising concerns that Malaysia may become a big ‘back hole’ in the US-China trade war.
But when more and more Chinese goods suddenly start to be labeled “Made in Malaysia”, don’t be surprised if US customs start targeting Malaysia with tariffs as well.
And if tariffs on Malaysia suddenly start to rise, who will pay the real price?
Our people? Our industry? Or all of us for being too generous in opening the door for others to ‘rest’?
