U.S. Relations With Malaysia - United States Department of State

Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet

August 15, 2024

More information about Malaysia is available on the Malaysia country page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-MALAYSIA RELATIONS

The United States has had a consular or commercial presence in the area comprising modern-day Malaysia since the 1800s. In 1957, the United States established official diplomatic relations with Malaysia, and the two countries elevated the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership in April 2014.

Today, the United States and Malaysia share a diverse and expanding partnership in trade, climate, investment, security, environmental cooperation, and educational and cultural relations. Malaysia is a diverse democracy and is an important partner in U.S. engagement with Southeast Asia. The countries cooperate closely on security matters, including counterterrorism, maritime domain awareness, and regional stability, and participate frequently in bilateral and multilateral trainings, exercises, and visits. Economic ties are robust, and there is a long history of people-to-people exchanges.

U.S. Assistance to Malaysia

U.S. assistance to Malaysia focuses on education, educational exchanges, combatting trafficking in persons, protection and promotion of human rights, non-proliferation, security cooperation, counterterrorism, and enhancing transparency, accountability, and responsiveness of government. English language capacity building programs include the placement of English Language Fellows within faculties of local universities, and the English Access Microscholarship Program, an in-country program that serves underprivileged communities. Additional exchange programs, such as the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), help empower emerging voices in government, civil society, academia, and business. There are more than 5,700 alumni of Department of State-sponsored exchange programs in Malaysia. Many exchange alumni are leaders in Malaysia’s government, serving in the cabinet, parliament, and academia, including in recent years, the Prime Minister and Ministers of Finance, Transportation, and Foreign Affairs.

U.S. security cooperation and training strengthens the capabilities of Malaysia’s armed forces and maritime law enforcement agencies, boosting Malaysia’s ability to protect its sovereignty and take on an expanded international role. The United States and Malaysia conduct 14 recurring bilateral and multilateral exercises utilizing training areas on peninsular Malaysia, Sabah East Malysia, and in the South China Sea. Assistance to Malaysia’s counterterrorism efforts focuses on information sharing and capacity building programs for law enforcement and judicial authorities, and support to improve border security. The United States also partners with the Malaysian government and civil society organizations on programs and initiatives to counter the spread of violent extremist ideologies. Non-proliferation assistance aims at enhancing Malaysia’s ability to protect research with potential dual-use applications, comply with WMD-related sanctions, enforce its export control laws, and interdict shipments and trans-shipments of controlled technology, dual-use commodities, and weapons of mass destruction and related commodities.

The United States supports Malaysia’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons. Support includes awareness campaigns, technical assistance for legal reforms, capacity building for law enforcement officers to identify victims of trafficking, and legal professionals to effectively prosecute perpetrators of trafficking crimes. The United States also engages Malaysia on the promotion and protection of human rights and supports programs and organizations that advance freedom of expression, civic engagement and good governance, the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, freedom of religion or belief, and the participation of women in the economy and government. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States contributed $2.8 million to Malaysia to support vaccination of hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities, and donated 1 million safe and effective vaccines, along with COVID-19 test kits and ambulances

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States and Malaysia have a long history of successful engagement under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), as well as at the World Trade Organization, with ASEAN, under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), and at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Bilateral trade in goods with the United States was $65.55 billion in 2023. Malaysia is the United States’ 19th largest trading partner and the fourth-largest trading partner among the 10 ASEAN members. The United States is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, after China and Singapore. Top U.S. exports to Malaysia include electrical and electronic products, chemicals and chemical products, machinery, and equipment and parts. Top U.S. imports from Malaysia include electrical and electronic products, rubber products, metal products, machinery, equipment and parts, and optical and scientific equipment. The United States is one of the largest holders of foreign investment stock in Malaysia, and U.S. direct investment in Malaysia was $21.53 billion in 2023, the most recent year for which numbers are available. U.S. foreign direct investment in Malaysia is focused on manufacturing, nonbank holding companies, and wholesale trade. Malaysian foreign direct investment in the United States is led by manufacturing, wholesale trade, and professional, scientific, and technical services.

Malaysia’s Membership in International Organizations

Malaysia and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, ASEAN Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Malaysia and the United States participate in the East Asia Summit. Malaysia and the United States are both on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2022-2024 term.

Bilateral Representation

Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.

Malaysia maintains an embassy in the United States at 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 572-9700.

More information about Malaysia is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

CIA World Factbook Malaysia Page 
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Malaysia
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page 
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics 
Export.gov International Offices Page 
Travel Information
Malaysia Country Commercial Guide