UNITED States President Donald J. Trump hosted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the White House to strengthen the comprehensive partnership as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations.
The US and Malaysia share a long history of close cooperation built on economic ties and mutual security interests.
The two leaders pledged to continue building upon that relationship through enhanced diplomatic, economic, security and people-to-people ties.
President Trump and Prime Minister Najib recognised the grave threat posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to security and stability across the Asia-Pacific.
The two leaders expressed their concern about the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests, which are a flagrant violation of the multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and will only further escalate tensions in the region.
Both sides reaffirmed their support for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and urged all parties to strictly implement UNSC resolutions.
President Trump welcomed Prime Minister Najib’s commitment to go beyond the UNSC resolutions, including reviewing its diplomatic relations and business links with North Korea.
The two leaders pledged to nurture economic ties to create jobs and opportunities for people in both countries, reflecting a longstanding and substantial trade relationship.
The two countries recognised the importance of regular discussions under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to strengthen the trade relationship by removing barriers in key sectors.
Both sides announced the intent to pursue trade and investment opportunities in the transportation and energy sectors and to address the bilateral trade imbalance.
The two leaders welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Boeing Company for eight new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, purchase rights for eight additional 737 MAX airplanes, and maintenance for the national carrier’s fleet, with a potential total value of US$4 billion (RM16.8 billion).
President Trump welcomed the probability of additional purchases from Boeing in the future. Both leaders welcomed US private sector involvement in the development of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project.
The two countries also committed to review regulatory frameworks with the aim of facilitating investment in their economies.
Prime Minister Najib and President Trump discussed matters relating to the South China Sea and emphasised the importance of ensuring, maintaining, and safeguarding peace and stability, maritime security, freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the seas.
The two leaders underscored the importance of upholding and adhering to the rules-based maritime order.
They called upon all disputing parties to implement their international legal obligations in good faith, and to avoid the threat or use of force, intimidation or coercion.
They further called on all disputing parties to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and refrain from action that would erode trust and confidence, and escalate tension, including the militarisation of outposts.
The two leaders reaffirmed that all maritime claims must be based on and resolved in accordance with international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the US-Asean strategic partnership and to the continued implementation of the principles decided upon by the leaders of Asean and the US in the 2016 Sunnylands Declaration.
They affirmed their support for common efforts to develop a rules-based Asean Community, and to maintaining Asean centrality in the evolving regional architecture.
The two leaders noted the 50th anniversary of Asean founding and the 40th anniversary of US-Asean relations and welcomed commemorative activities. The two leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation to counter the growing threat of the Islamic State (IS) in Southeast Asia.
Both leaders re-affirmed the importance of promoting community resilience and mutual respect across religious and ethnic boundaries.
As a partner in the fight against Daesh and a member of the US-led Global Coalition, the two leaders noted Malaysia’s pledge of US$1 million for humanitarian assistance in areas liberated from IS.
The US recognised Malaysia’s continued progress towards meeting requirements for the US Visa Waiver Programme, including obligations under the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6 and Preventing and Combatting Serious Crime infor-mation sharing arrangements.
Prime Minister Najib announced Malaysia’s commitment to implement its data sharing agreements with the US and to phased enhancements of passenger screening at all points of entry, and the US committed to actively work with Malaysia towards this end.
The US and Malaysia acknowledged that cyber and other crimes often help finance terrorist networks.
The countries committed to make reference to available multilateral instruments, including the Budapest Convention, to strengthen domestic legislation and foster international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
The US and Malaysia pledged to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
The two leaders underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in priority areas including maritime security, counterterrorism, and information sharing between our defence and security forces.
They committed to pursue additional opportunities for joint exercises and training.
The leaders also underscored the importance of enhancing maritime domain awareness through the development of maritime capabilities, such as surveillance, communications and information-sharing, and intend to continue discussions on funding of assets through the most effective mechanisms for developing these capabilities to advance regional security.
President Trump welcomed Malaysia’s intent to make an additional US$60 million in defence procurements from the US.
They discussed the need to end the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
Both leaders called for an end to the violence targeting civilian populations, and discussed the need for a strong international community response for the hundreds of thousands who have been victimised and displaced by violence, including those who have arrived in Bangladesh.
Both sides urged the Myanmar government to end the violence against innocents and ensure that humanitarian relief reaches victims immediately.
President Trump and Prime Minister Najib held a constructive discussion about the importance of good governance and the free flow of information to prosperity and a positive business environment.
They also discussed the importance of protecting human rights including freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
The US welcomed Malaysia’s commitment to increase prosecutions of human traffickers, as well as expedited assessment with the aim of increasing substantially the number of trafficking victims granted freedom of movement.
The two leaders welcomed continued strong people-to-people ties, especially Fulbright academic exchanges.
They recognised the growing number of Malaysian undergraduate and graduate students studying in the US, now numbering nearly 8,000.
They looked forward to the signing of the MoU sustaining the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant programme, one of the largest in the world, through 2020.
The two leaders looked forward to strengthen further the comprehensive partnership in a way that promotes peace, stability, prosperity and international consensus in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.