Malaysia to review trade pact TPP

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has called for a review of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, saying smaller economies like Malaysia were at a disadvantage under the current terms.

“This is a new government. The old government may have (had) some understanding with its counterparts, but we want to review that understanding,” he told the Nikkei Asian Review in an interview on Friday, adding that he will also review China-related deals entered into by his predecessor Najib Razak, so as to put a lid on national debt.

Mahathir arrived in Tokyo today for a three-day working visit, in his first overseas trip since he was re-elected Prime Minister last month

Mahathir said he will review the multilateral trade deal now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP-11, after the United States withdrew from it. He said he believes weaker economies like Malaysia are at a disadvantage under the current terms, adding, “It is important to take into consideration the level of development of a country.”