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Current American Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, with Malaysia's Foreign Minister, YB Datuk Anifah bin Haji Aman |
The United States and Malaysia have a respectful, growing relationship that revolves mainly around the economy, security, and inter-government programs. As of the beginning of 2011, the U.S. has been Malaysia's third largest trading partner, while Malaysia's the 18th largest trading partner of the United States. In 2010, the U.S. was the largest source of new foreign direct investment in Malaysia, and has accumulatively been the largest foreign investor in Malaysia. American businesses have taken an interest in Malaysia's electronic, manufacturing, oil and gas sectors, and annual two-way trade totals to 33 billion dollars. Last October, the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement was negotiated, and Malaysia joined.
As for government and security matters, the U.S. and Malaysia have been working together to prevent terrorism, and in July 2006, previous Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Malaysia during a visit to Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Also, both country's militaries have had joint training exercises and visits/exchanges with one another. Not only has there been an exchange between the military, but the governments have also provided exchange programs for professional development and study.
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June 3, 2011, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates meets with Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak during a meeting in Singapore |
