China has registered firm objections to unspecified elements within the Malaysia–US reciprocal trading accord, advising Malaysian policymakers to prioritise enduring economic advantages and assess strategic outcomes before moving forward, officials from the commerce ministry stated on November 27, China Daily reports.

A Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said that China supports Malaysia’s pursuit of trade deals with global partners, provided they help bridge economic divides and encourage constructive dialogue. Yet, the ministry warned that any pact should avoid undermining international commerce, disrupting regional economic alignment, or creating setbacks for China’s commercial or diplomatic interests.

Earlier in the week, a bilateral review session was held in Beijing between representatives from China’s Ministry of Commerce and Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry to evaluate the implications of the Malaysia–US agreement. During those talks, Malaysia responded point-by-point to China’s policy worries, offering further background and regulatory detail where needed.

According to the spokesperson, Malaysia reaffirmed that it places significant weight on its long-standing economic ties with China and intends to expand existing cooperation across shared commercial and investment channels. Malaysian negotiators also emphasised their intent to preserve policy harmony between bilateral partnerships while continuing enhanced cross-border trading collaboration in the coming years.