KUALA LUMPUR: RAM Ratings expects Malaysia’s imports and exports to be lifted a respective 3.9% and 1.7% in December 2019, resulting in a RM9.5 billion trade surplus for the month.
This contrasts against respective declines of 3.6% and 5.5% the preceding month. The better showing was achieved despite subdued global demand, which has been affecting Malaysia’s trade performance.
Meanwhile, it said the “phase one” trade deal signed between the US and China on Jan 15, 2020 could trigger another round of disruptions for global trade flows. Over the next two years, China has now committed to purchasing at least another US$200 billion more of American goods and services, benchmarked against its total purchase value in 2017.
“The commitment translates into a 58.6% surge in China’s merchandise imports from the US in the first year of the deal, followed by another 19.8% increase in the second year. This has the potential to divert Chinese demand away from non-US producers in the coming years,” RAM said.
It added that Malaysia’s exports to China could be at risk given that the latter’s commitment includes some 83% of goods that it currently imports from Malaysia. Moreover, 12.7% of China’s imports from Malaysia comprise the committed items in which the US has a revealed comparative advantage. This may shift demand away from Malaysia in favour of more competitive American manufacturers.
Under this scenario, the items most at risk would be liquefied natural gas and naphtha due to their sizeable share of Chinese demand, as well as the US’s notable competitiveness in production.
“That said, a swing in US exports to China may induce the former’s trade partners to seek alternative suppliers if their orders are not met promptly. As such, Malaysia may still stand to benefit,“ RAM said.
