Malaysia's decision to supply rare earth elements to the US may have contributed to eliminating China's leverage in the tariff war.

The trade agreement signed by Anwar Ibrahim is a chilling throwback to the colonial era when Malay sultans were expected to heed the advice (read: command) of the British residents.

A careful review of the texts and annexes of the Malaysia-US reciprocal trade agreement shows it is a one-sided deal that secures Malaysia’s role as a dependent asset for Washington.