Mahathir in Tokyo, Japan
At the 30th edition of the annual Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia, in Tokyo Japan, I was asked on a variety of issues.
The main issue on everyone's minds and interests are the impact of Trump's tariffs. I told the audience that I had given three months to Trump to roll back on his tariffs as the Americans will soon realise that the impact of the tariffs is actually on their domestic market where prices of imports will be costly. At some point he has to revise his ideas. Already, electronic devices are being exempted and the US Courts are challenging the validity of the President's authority in imposing the tariffs.
As for the impact on Malaysia and Asean, it is obvious that there will be a dip as trade with the US is significant. But Asean should look at increasing trade with other countries to mitigate the impact. On the other hand, Trump will not last forever as the President, he will have to leave office at some point.
On India, I think it will continue to grow but not as fast as China. India is a democracy made up of people with different cultures and religions. It cannot behave like China that has the advantage of being a single Government that cannot be challenged.
On China, among others, while it has claimed the South China Sea as its territory it has not made any attempts to stop merchant or military ships from passing through. Also, for countries like Malaysia, we are still occupying the territories that we occupied without challenge.
On the issue of Taiwan, China has a one China policy that includes Taiwan. But I believe China is comfortable with the status quo where it is able to take advantage of Taiwan's independence and investments in technology from Taiwan. I think it is in China's best interest to leave things as they are and benefit from this. If China had wanted to re-unify Taiwan, they would have done so a long time ago.
But of course the US has to see the whole issue as a threat. It provoked the situation by sending its (former) speaker, Nancy Pelosi to visit Taiwan. This sparked tension with China and China displays its military strength. But it has not flexed this strength. But it pushed Taiwan to re-arm and ultimately it is the US that benefited from the sale of military equipment.
There were other issues too, including on Look East Policy that I had initiated. I am of the opinion that it is still worthwhile for Malaysia to continue looking towards Japan. I find that Japan industries are constantly looking at new product researches including in the treatment of diseases and are making breakthroughs. I admire the Japanese work culture.
I have been coming to this forum annually for the last 30 years since it started. And in all those years I had missed only thrice due to illness and Covid restrictions. This may be my last participation in this forum, but I have enjoyed it as it provides a platform to share ideas and thoughts on the future of Asia. I wish the Nikkei Forum on the Future of Asia continued success.
Uploaded from the Facebook account of TUN DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD, dated 30 May 2025.
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