KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — United States (US) Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer has commended Malaysia’s leadership as Asean chair this year.
Speaking to the press after leading consultations between US and Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) today, he praised Malaysia's leadership and hospitality in steering the regional bloc of 10 countries in their meetings so far this year.
“We have been very pleased with the hospitality offered. Malaysia has shown great leadership as the Asean chair,” Greer said on the meeting's sidelines.
This marks Malaysia's fifth chairmanship after 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.
In his opening remarks earlier, he extended his appreciation to AEM chair Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz for his pragmatism and steady leadership throughout Malaysia’s chairmanship at the AEM meetings with dialogue partners.
Greer said: “Asean has been very well served by Malaysia's leadership, and particularly by Minister Zafrul. I'm honoured to be here in Kuala Lumpur on behalf of the US.
On his part, Tengku Zafrul said that Asean and the US engaged in constructive and productive discussions on trade and investment during the AEM-USTR consultation, and the region looks forward to continued engagement with Washington.
On September 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that US President Donald Trump will visit Malaysia next month to attend the 47th Asean Summit.
He added that Trump had called him to convey his intention to attend the summit.
