US Protectionist Trade Policies Unlikely To Change Despite Democratic Gains – Analyst
By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (NNN) -- The United States (US) is unlikely to significantly ease its protectionist trade policies despite the Democrats' midterm election gains, as economic nationalism has become a bipartisan position, a Malaysian analyst said.
Citizens International Executive Director Imran Rasid said major changes to Washington's tariff policies were unlikely, noting that there had been little indication of efforts to revise them in political discussions leading up to the elections.
"In fact, the policies of economic nationalism, the policies of protectionism is a bipartisan thing now, in fact, across parties.
"So I don't expect much changes going on on that particular front," he said during Bernama TV's The Nation programme on Wednesday.
The Democrats gained control of both the Senate and House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, shifting the balance of power in the US Congress.
On the election results, Imran said the Democrats' victory in both chambers of Congress reflected a rejection of President Donald Trump's leadership, but not necessarily his political ideology.
"And the rejection of Trump does not mean a rejection of Trump's political brand," he said.
He said the results had weakened Trump's political legitimacy and could constrain his administration through greater congressional oversight, including investigations, budget approvals, and Senate confirmation of presidential nominees.
Although Congress had the authority to amend legislation governing tariffs, Imran said such changes did not appear to be a priority.
"Now, those laws that allow these tariffs are being written in the Congress, so there is a possibility for the Congress to remake the law, or rewrite the law," he said.
Turning to the implications for Malaysia, Imran said the incoming US ambassador should prioritise reassuring the Malaysian government about the stability and predictability of Washington's policies.
"I think the US ambassador need to assure Malaysia, or Malaysian government, at this point in time that the US brands of politics should be more stable and predictable," he said.
He said Malaysia and other countries in the Global South remained concerned about whether Washington would continue pursuing unilateral economic measures or adopt a more multilateral approach based on international law.
Imran added that Washington had increasingly favoured unilateral policies regardless of which party controlled the White House.
--NNN
