See below articles about Trump’s visit to Malaysia and links to the…
*See below articles about Trump's visit to Malaysia and links to the agreement that was signed between both countries.*
(a) *Great article by Frankie D'Cruz.*
Joget Diplomacy by Trump and Anwar . Acknowledged the regular folk who'd been waiting hours to welcome him. Didn't walk past snootily like most VVIPs / Heads of State.
What Trump's dance said about us, not him
The US president may have danced, but Malaysia led — in rhythm, warmth, and grace.
Read more: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2025/10/27/what-trumps-dance-said-about-us-not-him (full article extracted below)
What Trump's dance said about us, not him
Frankie D'Cruz
Share
The US president may have danced, but Malaysia led — in rhythm, warmth, and grace.
When Donald Trump stepped off Air Force One on Sunday morning and began swaying to the beat of kompang drums, something quietly remarkable happened.
For once, the world's most polarising politician wasn't making headlines for confrontation, but for connection.
The 79-year-old US president, known more for his bluster than rhythm, found himself caught up in Malaysia's music.
As dancers in traditional attire performed along the red carpet, Trump smiled, waved both the Malaysian and American flags, and moved — not perfectly, but joyfully — to the beat.
Play
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joined in, and for a few minutes, the tarmac became a stage of shared laughter and ease.
There was no stiffness of statecraft, no guarded handshakes — just two leaders caught in a moment of unfiltered humanity.
And the world noticed.
The reaction abroad was warm. Even those who usually view Trump through a political lens seemed disarmed by the sincerity of the scene.
"What beautiful people you have. Trump felt so welcome he even danced," wrote one American viewer. "This is how diplomacy should look," said another under Sky News Australia's clip.
Trump was in Kuala Lumpur for the Asean Summit, but his arrival said more about diplomacy than any communiqué could.
Because the real story wasn't Trump's dance — it was Malaysia's.
The choreography of welcome
Malaysia has long mastered the art of reception. The red carpet, the kompang drummers, the dancers in bright costumes — these weren't just ceremonial flourishes.
They were Malaysia's language of diplomacy, a choreography that speaks of inclusion, composure and confidence.
When Trump began to move with the rhythm, Malaysians responded instinctively with applause, laughter and pride.
The moment said something about how Malaysia sees its place in the world — as a bridge, not a barrier; as a host that leads through ease, not ego.
In a region defined by shifting alliances, Malaysia turned a formal arrival into a cultural embrace.
That, too, is strategy — the soft power of sincerity.
The optics of hospitality
In the West, diplomacy is often choreographed to avoid missteps. In Malaysia, it's the choreography itself that creates connection.
When Anwar joined Trump's light-hearted steps, it was more than courtesy. It was confidence, the assurance of a country comfortable enough to let warmth lead.
Trump, ever the showman, knows how to read a crowd. But in Kuala Lumpur, the crowd read him — and responded not with politics, but with joy.
The scene showed what both sides can gain when diplomacy feels human: America's president looked more at ease than he has in months, and Malaysia reminded the world that hospitality can be power.
The soft power of grace
Behind the pageantry lay something deeper. In a time when headlines are crowded with conflict, this small, spontaneous dance offered a counter-narrative — one where culture dissolved stiffness and connection outshone cynicism.
The dancers on that tarmac can now say they performed with the president of the United States.
The Malaysian Portuguese-Eurasian community swelled with pride hearing the bagpipes play "Jinkli Nona" as the motorcade departed — a small but meaningful nod to our layered heritage.
For Malaysia, this wasn't ceremony. It was self-expression — diplomacy in rhythm, poise and humanity.
So let others analyse the optics. We'll remember the feeling — the morning when Malaysia danced, and a president danced back.
In that rhythm — unscripted, imperfect, yet full of grace — the world saw what diplomacy can still be: warm, human and unmistakably Malaysian.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy.
Copyright © 2009 - 2025 FMT Media Sdn Bhd (1235453-U) All Rights Reserved. A part of Media Prima Group.
(b) https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/775418 (extracted below)
*US-Malaysia reach agreement on reciprocal trade*
By Jose Barrock / theedgemalaysia.com
Bloomberg filepix for illustration purpose only.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): The governments of the United States of America and Malaysia reached a pact on an agreement on reciprocal trade to strengthen bilateral economic relationship, which will provide both countries' exporters unprecedented access to each other's markets.
"The Agreement will build upon our longstanding economic relationship, including the United States-Malaysia Trade Investment Framework Agreement signed in 2004," the joint statement read.
Key terms include Malaysia committing to provide significant preferential market access for US industrial goods and exports, including chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment, metals, passenger vehicles, and for US agricultural exports including dairy, horticultural products, poultry, processed products, beverages, pork, rice and fuel ethanol as well
The US meanwhile has committed to maintain at 19% the reciprocal tariffs first set on April 2, 2025, as amended, on originating goods of Malaysia, and has identified products--- from a list set out on Sept 5, 2025, Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners--- to receive a 0% reciprocal tariff rate.
Malaysia the joint statement says, has committed to address non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade in priority industrial areas, and is committed to accepting US manufactured vehicles built to US motor vehicle safety and emissions standards; streamlining import licences for US alloy steel and pipe products, and steel-containing goods; streamlining halal requirements for products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices; and addressing US concerns with conformity assessment procedures.
Also to be addressed will be the prevention of non-tariff barriers to US food and agricultural products in the Malaysian market, including by accepting currently agreed certificates issued by US regulatory authorities; streamlining halal and facility registration requirements to facilitate imports of US food and agricultural products; and implementation of regionalisation of the US for animal diseases.
Malaysia has also committed "To adopt and maintain high levels of environmental protection and to effectively enforce its environmental laws, including by taking measures to address illegal logging, fisheries subsidies, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, illegal wildlife trade, and committed to increasing enforcement against notorious markets for counterfeiting and piracy."
To protect internationally recognised labour rights, Malaysia has made commitments on preventing forced labour and effectively identifying and addressing labour law violations in sectors with a high-risk of forced labour and child labour, among others.
The two countries have finalised commitments by Malaysia to address barriers impacting digital trade, services, and investment and Malaysia has committed to refrain from imposing digital services taxes that discriminate against US companies or requiring US social media platforms and cloud service providers to pay into Malaysia's domestic fund; ensure the transfer of data across trusted borders, with appropriate protections, for the conduct of business; support a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO); and remove broadcasting terrestrial airtime restrictions on US programming.
The two nations have also finalised commitments to address intellectual property protection and enforcement, customs and trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, and distortionary behaviours of state-owned enterprises, and committed to strengthening economic and national security cooperation and to enhancing supply chain resilience and innovation, addressing duty evasion, and cooperating on investment security and export controls.
Malaysia has committed to refrain from banning, or imposing quotas on, exports to the US of critical minerals or rare earth elements. Malaysia has committed to the expedient development of its critical minerals and rare earths sectors in partnership with US companies, including granting extended operating licences to create certainty for businesses to increase production capacity. Malaysia has also committed to ensure no restrictions are imposed on the sale of rare earth magnets to US companies.
Both the US and Malaysia have undertaken recent commercial deals between including the procurement of 30 aircraft, with an option for an additional 30 more, purchase of semiconductors, aerospace components, and data centre equipment with an estimated value of US$150 billion (RM633.5 billion), purchase of up tofive million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquified natural gas estimated at up to US$3.4 billion per year, purchase of coal and telecommunication products and services valued at US$204.10 million, and capital fund investments in the United States of US$70 billion.
The joint statement says that "the US may positively consider the effect that the agreement has on national security, including taking the Agreement into consideration when taking trade action."
Additionally, the US Department of the Treasury and Bank Negara Malaysia are in discussions to finalise their mutual understanding on currency policy, and in the coming weeks, the US and Malaysia will undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement coming into force.
Read also:Anwar holds bilateral meeting with Trump https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/775415 (extracted below)
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) seen in an expanded bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump (left) at the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in KLCC on Sunday.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here on Sunday.
Both leaders proceeded to the bilateral meeting shortly after witnessing the signing of a joint declaration on a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia at the venue of the summits, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The deal, dubbed the KL Peace Accord, was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, marking a formal step towards halting hostilities and restoring peace along their disputed borders.
Media previously reported that US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D Kagan noted that semiconductor tariffs, trade, investments, security and stability in the region were among topics expected to be discussed during Trump's maiden visit to Malaysia.
According to Kagan, Malaysia is an incredibly important partner for the US, as there have been very significant investments by American companies in this sector, especially those focused on Western supply chains.
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the US have remained strong since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1957. In 2014, they elevated the relations to a Comprehensive Partnership.
The US is among Malaysia's largest trading partners and investors, with total trade valued at RM324.91 billion (US$71.39 billion) in 2024.
Read also:US-Malaysia reach agreement on reciprocal trade
Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy
(c) *Click these links for the agreement , and contents, that was signed*
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sovt7YWPoVW2sbeZo_oizzITlMQPdDvM/view?usp=drivesdk
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/10/joint-statement-on-united-states-malaysia-agreement-on-reciprocal-trade/
Sent from my iPhone
(a) *Great article by Frankie D'Cruz.*
Joget Diplomacy by Trump and Anwar . Acknowledged the regular folk who'd been waiting hours to welcome him. Didn't walk past snootily like most VVIPs / Heads of State.
What Trump's dance said about us, not him
The US president may have danced, but Malaysia led — in rhythm, warmth, and grace.
Read more: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2025/10/27/what-trumps-dance-said-about-us-not-him (full article extracted below)
What Trump's dance said about us, not him
Frankie D'Cruz
Share
The US president may have danced, but Malaysia led — in rhythm, warmth, and grace.
When Donald Trump stepped off Air Force One on Sunday morning and began swaying to the beat of kompang drums, something quietly remarkable happened.
For once, the world's most polarising politician wasn't making headlines for confrontation, but for connection.
The 79-year-old US president, known more for his bluster than rhythm, found himself caught up in Malaysia's music.
As dancers in traditional attire performed along the red carpet, Trump smiled, waved both the Malaysian and American flags, and moved — not perfectly, but joyfully — to the beat.
Play
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joined in, and for a few minutes, the tarmac became a stage of shared laughter and ease.
There was no stiffness of statecraft, no guarded handshakes — just two leaders caught in a moment of unfiltered humanity.
And the world noticed.
The reaction abroad was warm. Even those who usually view Trump through a political lens seemed disarmed by the sincerity of the scene.
"What beautiful people you have. Trump felt so welcome he even danced," wrote one American viewer. "This is how diplomacy should look," said another under Sky News Australia's clip.
Trump was in Kuala Lumpur for the Asean Summit, but his arrival said more about diplomacy than any communiqué could.
Because the real story wasn't Trump's dance — it was Malaysia's.
The choreography of welcome
Malaysia has long mastered the art of reception. The red carpet, the kompang drummers, the dancers in bright costumes — these weren't just ceremonial flourishes.
They were Malaysia's language of diplomacy, a choreography that speaks of inclusion, composure and confidence.
When Trump began to move with the rhythm, Malaysians responded instinctively with applause, laughter and pride.
The moment said something about how Malaysia sees its place in the world — as a bridge, not a barrier; as a host that leads through ease, not ego.
In a region defined by shifting alliances, Malaysia turned a formal arrival into a cultural embrace.
That, too, is strategy — the soft power of sincerity.
The optics of hospitality
In the West, diplomacy is often choreographed to avoid missteps. In Malaysia, it's the choreography itself that creates connection.
When Anwar joined Trump's light-hearted steps, it was more than courtesy. It was confidence, the assurance of a country comfortable enough to let warmth lead.
Trump, ever the showman, knows how to read a crowd. But in Kuala Lumpur, the crowd read him — and responded not with politics, but with joy.
The scene showed what both sides can gain when diplomacy feels human: America's president looked more at ease than he has in months, and Malaysia reminded the world that hospitality can be power.
The soft power of grace
Behind the pageantry lay something deeper. In a time when headlines are crowded with conflict, this small, spontaneous dance offered a counter-narrative — one where culture dissolved stiffness and connection outshone cynicism.
The dancers on that tarmac can now say they performed with the president of the United States.
The Malaysian Portuguese-Eurasian community swelled with pride hearing the bagpipes play "Jinkli Nona" as the motorcade departed — a small but meaningful nod to our layered heritage.
For Malaysia, this wasn't ceremony. It was self-expression — diplomacy in rhythm, poise and humanity.
So let others analyse the optics. We'll remember the feeling — the morning when Malaysia danced, and a president danced back.
In that rhythm — unscripted, imperfect, yet full of grace — the world saw what diplomacy can still be: warm, human and unmistakably Malaysian.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy.
Copyright © 2009 - 2025 FMT Media Sdn Bhd (1235453-U) All Rights Reserved. A part of Media Prima Group.
(b) https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/775418 (extracted below)
*US-Malaysia reach agreement on reciprocal trade*
By Jose Barrock / theedgemalaysia.com
Bloomberg filepix for illustration purpose only.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): The governments of the United States of America and Malaysia reached a pact on an agreement on reciprocal trade to strengthen bilateral economic relationship, which will provide both countries' exporters unprecedented access to each other's markets.
"The Agreement will build upon our longstanding economic relationship, including the United States-Malaysia Trade Investment Framework Agreement signed in 2004," the joint statement read.
Key terms include Malaysia committing to provide significant preferential market access for US industrial goods and exports, including chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment, metals, passenger vehicles, and for US agricultural exports including dairy, horticultural products, poultry, processed products, beverages, pork, rice and fuel ethanol as well
The US meanwhile has committed to maintain at 19% the reciprocal tariffs first set on April 2, 2025, as amended, on originating goods of Malaysia, and has identified products--- from a list set out on Sept 5, 2025, Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners--- to receive a 0% reciprocal tariff rate.
Malaysia the joint statement says, has committed to address non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade in priority industrial areas, and is committed to accepting US manufactured vehicles built to US motor vehicle safety and emissions standards; streamlining import licences for US alloy steel and pipe products, and steel-containing goods; streamlining halal requirements for products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices; and addressing US concerns with conformity assessment procedures.
Also to be addressed will be the prevention of non-tariff barriers to US food and agricultural products in the Malaysian market, including by accepting currently agreed certificates issued by US regulatory authorities; streamlining halal and facility registration requirements to facilitate imports of US food and agricultural products; and implementation of regionalisation of the US for animal diseases.
Malaysia has also committed "To adopt and maintain high levels of environmental protection and to effectively enforce its environmental laws, including by taking measures to address illegal logging, fisheries subsidies, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, illegal wildlife trade, and committed to increasing enforcement against notorious markets for counterfeiting and piracy."
To protect internationally recognised labour rights, Malaysia has made commitments on preventing forced labour and effectively identifying and addressing labour law violations in sectors with a high-risk of forced labour and child labour, among others.
The two countries have finalised commitments by Malaysia to address barriers impacting digital trade, services, and investment and Malaysia has committed to refrain from imposing digital services taxes that discriminate against US companies or requiring US social media platforms and cloud service providers to pay into Malaysia's domestic fund; ensure the transfer of data across trusted borders, with appropriate protections, for the conduct of business; support a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO); and remove broadcasting terrestrial airtime restrictions on US programming.
The two nations have also finalised commitments to address intellectual property protection and enforcement, customs and trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, and distortionary behaviours of state-owned enterprises, and committed to strengthening economic and national security cooperation and to enhancing supply chain resilience and innovation, addressing duty evasion, and cooperating on investment security and export controls.
Malaysia has committed to refrain from banning, or imposing quotas on, exports to the US of critical minerals or rare earth elements. Malaysia has committed to the expedient development of its critical minerals and rare earths sectors in partnership with US companies, including granting extended operating licences to create certainty for businesses to increase production capacity. Malaysia has also committed to ensure no restrictions are imposed on the sale of rare earth magnets to US companies.
Both the US and Malaysia have undertaken recent commercial deals between including the procurement of 30 aircraft, with an option for an additional 30 more, purchase of semiconductors, aerospace components, and data centre equipment with an estimated value of US$150 billion (RM633.5 billion), purchase of up tofive million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquified natural gas estimated at up to US$3.4 billion per year, purchase of coal and telecommunication products and services valued at US$204.10 million, and capital fund investments in the United States of US$70 billion.
The joint statement says that "the US may positively consider the effect that the agreement has on national security, including taking the Agreement into consideration when taking trade action."
Additionally, the US Department of the Treasury and Bank Negara Malaysia are in discussions to finalise their mutual understanding on currency policy, and in the coming weeks, the US and Malaysia will undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement coming into force.
Read also:Anwar holds bilateral meeting with Trump https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/775415 (extracted below)
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) seen in an expanded bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump (left) at the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in KLCC on Sunday.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here on Sunday.
Both leaders proceeded to the bilateral meeting shortly after witnessing the signing of a joint declaration on a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia at the venue of the summits, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The deal, dubbed the KL Peace Accord, was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, marking a formal step towards halting hostilities and restoring peace along their disputed borders.
Media previously reported that US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D Kagan noted that semiconductor tariffs, trade, investments, security and stability in the region were among topics expected to be discussed during Trump's maiden visit to Malaysia.
According to Kagan, Malaysia is an incredibly important partner for the US, as there have been very significant investments by American companies in this sector, especially those focused on Western supply chains.
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the US have remained strong since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1957. In 2014, they elevated the relations to a Comprehensive Partnership.
The US is among Malaysia's largest trading partners and investors, with total trade valued at RM324.91 billion (US$71.39 billion) in 2024.
Read also:US-Malaysia reach agreement on reciprocal trade
Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy
(c) *Click these links for the agreement , and contents, that was signed*
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sovt7YWPoVW2sbeZo_oizzITlMQPdDvM/view?usp=drivesdk
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/10/joint-statement-on-united-states-malaysia-agreement-on-reciprocal-trade/
Sent from my iPhone
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