KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that trade talks with Canada will not resume, contradicting remarks made earlier by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who suggested both nations could soon return to the negotiation table.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had apologized over a television commercial opposing US tariffs but confirmed that negotiations remain off the table.
“No, but I have a very good relationship. I like him a lot, but you know, what they did was wrong,” Trump said. “He was very nice. He apologised for what they did with the commercial.”
Earlier the same day, Wright told reporters at the Group of Seven (G7) energy and environment ministers’ meeting in Toronto that the US and Canada were working toward reviving talks after discussions collapsed last week. He noted that cooperation on oil, gas, and critical minerals remains a priority despite “some good reasons” for recent friction.
Trump halted negotiations last week after Ontario aired an anti-tariff advertisement in the US referencing a 1987 Ronald Reagan radio address. The president also threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods.
Before the breakdown, Carney said both countries had been making progress on steel and aluminum tariff agreements, as well as energy cooperation, including his proposal to revive the Keystone XL pipeline project.
Despite the setback, Wright expressed optimism about rekindling ties:
“The goal is to bring those back together and to see cooperation between the United States and Canada across critical minerals, oil, and gas,” he said.
Trump, however, signaled contentment with the current trade arrangement, which already includes US import taxes on autos, lumber, steel, and aluminium, and a 35% tariff on other non-USMCA goods.
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