KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 -- Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that the United States has pledged to "sympathetically" review Malaysia's appeal for lower export tariffs, even as Putrajaya forges closer ties with China.

The prime minister's remarks come as Malaysia seeks to reduce tariffs on its exports to the US - currently set at 24 per cent following measures imposed during Donald Trump's presidency - to zero.

In return, Washington is asking Kuala Lumpur to address trade imbalances, ease non-tariff barriers, and ensure US tech isn't redirected elsewhere.

"The United States has promised to look at it sympathetically and review and keep us posted," Anwar was quoted by Bloomberg as saying in Putrajaya last night.

Despite the high-stak...