MONEY MASTER

Investment Analysis: Tariff Warning Could Accelerate Economic Bloc Divergence President Donald Trump’s latest post-election move to penalize nations aligning with BRICS policies — by proposing a  10% blanket tariff  — marks a significant escalation in global trade and currency realignment tensions. On Sunday night, Trump warned that  any country supporting the "anti-American policies" of BRICS  would face an additional 10% tariff. While no specific timeline or policy parameters were outlined, the announcement coincides with the ongoing BRICS summit where leaders from  China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Russia  discussed a  cross-border payment system , inching toward  de-dollarization . This raises the stakes for countries caught between US trade access and BRICS alignment, particularly  emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America  that have benefitted from both US trade relations and Chinese Belt-and-Road investme...

  Malaysia’s Position as a Top Investment Hub Malaysia continues to attract  significant foreign investments , with nearly  RM20 billion  in commitments identified from the  US and Europe , according to the  Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry (MITI) . Leading global corporations, including  Intel, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, Google, and Plexus , are expanding their investments, solidifying Malaysia’s status as a prime business destination for over  600 US companies . Balancing US-Europe Trade with BRICS Membership Malaysia officially joined BRICS on Jan 1, 2025 , but  maintains strong ties with traditional partners  in the US and Europe. BRICS offers Malaysia new trade opportunities , particularly with non-FTA countries such as  Russia, Brazil, South Africa, and India . The move is expected to  broaden market access, enhance trade relations, and strengthen Malaysia’s global economic position . Trade Growth with US & ...

Indonesia is bracing for global trade disruptions  caused by  US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies , seeking to  diversify its markets and protect local industries  amid rising protectionism. 🌏 Indonesia’s Strategy: Expand Markets, Protect Local Trade 🔹  Indonesia aims to leverage the US-China tariff war  by expanding its market share if Chinese goods face higher US tariffs. 🔹  The country is also reinforcing local industries , particularly the  textile sector , which has been hit by  cheap imports and illegal shipments . 🔹  New trade agreements are in the works  to secure alternative markets, with  Peru, Canada, the EU, and India  on the priority list. 💬  Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri: "We do not want to act too hastily on import regulations, but we will ensure policies are in Indonesia’s best interest." 🚨 Trump’s Tariffs: A Wake-Up Call for Global Trade 📌  Trump’s new...

Malaysia is keeping a close watch on the potential fallout from Donald Trump's threat to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations , according to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz , Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. Key Points Malaysia’s Position : Malaysia is a BRICS partner , not a member. The government will monitor developments closely to assess any potential impact on non-member countries. Support for Multilateral Trade : Tengku Zafrul emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to multilateral trade platforms , including the CPTPP . He noted that such frameworks are crucial for boosting economic growth , improving living standards , and maintaining stability . CPTPP and the UK’s Accession : Malaysia welcomed the United Kingdom’s accession to the CPTPP, marking a step toward greater global trade cooperation. The UK will officially become a CPTPP member on Dec 15, 2024 . Broader Context : Trump’s tariff threat stems from concerns over BRICS nations potentially replacing the US dol...

 Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed that China’s principle of a shared future has resonated strongly across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Global South, leading Malaysia to pursue participation in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Speaking at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), Anwar praised President Xi Jinping’s recent BRICS address in Kazan, which emphasized unity against discord and protectionism. Anwar noted the importance of China's commitment to global peace and economic cooperation. “We must build a community with a shared future to uphold global peace, security, and share expertise and technologies globally,” he stated, referencing Xi’s vision. Recognizing Malaysia as the “Country of Honour” at this year’s CIIE, Anwar spoke after Chinese Premier Li Qiang, followed by other global leaders, commending China’s inclusive trade policies. Highlights from Anwar’s Address: China's Global Role : He acknowledged Ch...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects a significant shift in global economic growth, with the BRICS nations — China , India , Russia , and Brazil — playing a larger role in driving expansion over the next five years. This forecast, based on purchasing power parity (PPP) , highlights the growing reliance on emerging markets over wealthier G7 countries, such as the US , Germany , and Japan . According to the IMF’s latest outlook, China will contribute 22% of global growth through 2029, surpassing the combined total of all G7 nations. India is set to add nearly 15% , further solidifying its role as a global growth engine. The report also shows emerging economies like Egypt and Vietnam will contribute similar growth shares to advanced economies like Germany , Japan , France , and the UK . In contrast, Canada and Italy , the smallest G7 economies, are expected to contribute less than 1% each, lagging behind populous nations like Bangladesh and the Philippines . This pr...

Russia is pushing for the creation of a new multicurrency payment system within the BRICS group to reduce reliance on the US-dominated global financial system. This initiative comes as Russia seeks to protect its economy from Western sanctions and develop alternatives to traditional cross-border payment networks like SWIFT . A report prepared by Russia’s Finance Ministry , the Bank of Russia , and Moscow-based consultancy Yakov & Partners outlines proposals for the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to conduct transactions in local currencies and establish direct links between central banks . The goal is to create a payment system that shields participants from extraterritorial sanctions and ensures their financial sovereignty. The proposal also includes the establishment of trade centers for key commodities such as oil, natural gas, grain, and gold to further strengthen economic cooperation within the bloc. In addition, Russia is advocating fo...