Malaysia’s Interests in the IPEF: Managing Trade Frictions and Restoring Market Access

To re-engage economically with the Indo-Pacific region, United States (US) President Biden launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in May 2022. For Malaysia, the IPEF could help restore market access to the US by relaxing Withhold Release Orders (WROs) that ban exports of companies facing forced labour allegations. Malaysia also expects that the ease and frequency with which trade sanctions are applied in the future will be better managed as a result of the IPEF.