KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed almost flat on Tuesday as buying interest rotated away from index heavyweights towards smaller-cap construction stocks, with sentiment affected by geopolitical uncertainty, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.39 of a point to 1,714.40 from Monday’s close of 1,714.79. The benchmark index opened 1.65 points lower at 1,713.14 and moved between 1,710.44 and 1,714.50 throughout the trading session. The broader market was almost evenly balanced, with decliners leading gainers 548 to 546, while 598 counters were unchanged, 1,107 were untraded and 25 were suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.13 billion units valued at RM3.14 billion from 3.60 billion units valued at RM2.45 billion on Monday.
Top Trade Envoy Signals Hope — But Time Is Running Out
South Korea is racing against the clock to secure a last-minute trade deal with the US before Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on Korean exports kicks in on Aug 1.
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said on Monday there's a real chance to strike an “agreement in principle” before the deadline, with further negotiations to follow.
“Twenty days are not enough for a perfect treaty,” Yeo admitted, “but a foundational agreement is still possible.”
Why It Matters for Investors
The proposed 25% tariffs threaten South Korea’s key exports like automobiles and steel, which are major drivers of its GDP and global supply chains.
A deal could ease pressure on Korean equities, particularly automakers (Hyundai, Kia) and industrial suppliers.
The news follows months of political instability in Seoul, with President Lee Jae-myung only taking office on June 4.
What’s on the Table?
Seoul may need to open its agriculture market more to reach a deal.
Korea is pushing for industry-specific tariff relief, calling current US measures “unfair.”
Auto and steel tariffs are a core sticking point.
“There’s been considerable progress,” Yeo noted, particularly in industrial cooperation discussions.
Background
Trump’s 25% blanket tariff on Korean goods is part of his wider trade reset.
Korea had a late start in negotiations due to political chaos — ex-President Yoon was ousted over a failed martial law plan.
The new government is now in a high-stakes dash to avoid a blow to its export-heavy economy.
Investor Takeaways
✅ Positive tone from South Korea raises hopes for a partial deal
✅ Full resolution unlikely before Aug 1 — expect volatility in Korean markets
✅ Tariffs on autos/steel could hit KOSPI and exporters hard
✅ Watch closely for news on auto, EV, and steel sector exemptions
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