Malaysia’s exports to US rise 69.1 per cent to RM282.07 billion
Electronics demand supported growth, but shipments of rubber gloves, furniture and medical devices declined, the trade ministry said.
Malaysia recorded RM282.07 billion in exports to the United States during January–September 2026, an increase of 69.1 per cent, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti). Bilateral trade reached RM378.70 billion, up 39.6 per cent.
In a written parliamentary response, Miti attributed the export gains mainly to stronger demand for electrical and electronic (E&E) goods, especially semiconductors, linked to rapid advances in artificial intelligence and data centres. It also cited exemptions from additional US tariffs for most semiconductor and E&E products as an important factor.
E&E goods represented about 64.2 per cent of Malaysian exports bound for the US, the ministry said. Semiconductors made up 44 per cent of those E&E shipments.
Other sectors recorded declines over the same period. Rubber glove shipments to the US fell 1.6 per cent to RM5.0 billion, while furniture exports dropped 19.2 per cent to RM3.77 billion. Medical device exports were down 12.0 per cent at RM8.74 billion.
Miti said several major Malaysian industries faced pressure to bear US tariff costs themselves or discount goods for buyers to remain competitive and retain market access.
The ministry said diversifying export destinations would help limit exposure to external shocks and reliance on individual markets. It said it was working to expand access through existing free trade agreements while exploring non-traditional destinations across West Asia, Africa, Latin America and South Asia.
