Trade delegations have met in KL, San Francisco and I have lost count how many times they have met.
Malaysia, the Cabinet minister himself, the national/UMNO mentality of preferential treatment; all of them have real and fundamental issues.
From Malaysiakini.
Malaysia's list of no-go areas - including environmental protection and the practice of giving Malay companies a leg-up in lucrative government contracts - have bogged down the protracted talks.
The negotiations, which began in March 2006, hit a deadlock during the seventh round held in Kuala Lumpur in January, after a year-long pause.
The United States, which is Malaysia's biggest trading partner, hopes a deal could be struck before President George W Bush leaves office this year, but Muhyiddin declined to say if a pact can be reached by then.
"The stand is very clear. While we want to see things move forward, there are issues which need to be addressed ... with regards to sovereignty, national interest, which we believe we cannot compromise," he said.
US assistant trade representative Barbara Weisel has warned that the FTA could be shelved if an agreement is not reached before the end of Bush's term in January 2009.
1. USA is Malaysia's largest trading partner
2. Increasingly competitive trade environment with the emergence of regional low cost centers China, Vietnam, India and Latin America
3. Continue to dish out lucrative affirmative action contract to majority Malays
What gives ? Are the morons blind or plain stupid
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