Malaysia’s Foreign Minister to Attend Critical Minerals Meeting in Washington

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, will undertake an official visit to the United States on Tuesday and Wednesday at the invitation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting in Washington.

According to a statement from Wisma Putra, the visit aims to strengthen Malaysia-US engagement in the field of critical minerals and support sustainable economic growth.

During the trip, Minister Mohamad Hasan is scheduled to meet his counterparts to discuss shared priorities; explore investment opportunities, joint research initiatives, innovation, and capacity-building programs; and foster industrial cooperation.

The visit will also reinforce efforts under the upgraded Malaysia–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was elevated on October 26, 2025. It is expected to build momentum following the Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysian and US governments on cooperation to expand the global critical minerals supply chain and attract further investment.

Malaysia’s trade with the United States has seen significant growth, with total trade increasing by 13% to RM367.47 billion in 2025 compared to RM325.16 billion in 2024. Exports rose 17.2% to RM233.08 billion, while imports increased 6.4% to RM134.39 billion.

The upcoming ministerial meeting provides Malaysia an opportunity to strengthen collaboration in the critical minerals sector, which is increasingly vital for global supply chains and sustainable development initiatives.