KUALA LUMPUR — China has lodged formal complaints with Malaysia and Cambodia over their new trade agreements with the United States, saying the deals raise serious concerns for Beijing.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese Ministry of Commerce officials told Malaysian officials this week that Beijing holds “grave concerns” about specific parts of the agreement. A government readout said China urged Malaysia to “fully consider and properly handle this matter in light of its long-term national interests”. Cambodia received a similar warning last week.
China is especially worried about clauses that require Malaysia and Cambodia to align with the United States on sensitive national security issues. Under the deals, both countries must follow US trade restrictions, export controls, and sanctions on advanced technology.
They also need to stop local companies from helping other countries bypass these rules and increase defence-related trade with the US.
The pushback from China highlights the tough position Southeast Asian countries are in. China is a major economic partner, but the fear of tariffs from the US under President Donald Trump has pushed many governments to accept stronger trade and security commitments with Washington.
In return for these commitments, Malaysia will receive better access to the US market, including exemptions from Trump’s 19 per cent tariffs on selected goods. Cambodia will remove its tariffs on US products and receive similar exemptions from the US. — November 28, 2025