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Malaysia trims 2025 growth forecast as trade tensions mount, following GDP revisions by Thailand and Indonesia  

Bank Negara Malaysia’s downgrade reflects rising uncertainty over global tariffs, shifting trade alliances and geopolitical instability

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Tan Ai Leng

Tan Ai Leng

Published Mon, Jul 28, 2025 · 12:28 PM — Updated Mon, Jul 28, 2025 · 10:46 PM
    • Malaysia's headline inflation is expected to average between 1.5 and 2.3% this year.
    • Malaysia's headline inflation is expected to average between 1.5 and 2.3% this year.
    • Malaysia's headline inflation is expected to average between 1.5 and 2.3% this year. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
    • Malaysia's headline inflation is expected to average between 1.5 and 2.3% this year. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

    DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.

    [KUALA LUMPUR] With global policy shifts and intensifying trade tensions clouding the outlook, Malaysia has trimmed its 2025 gross domestic product forecast, becoming the third major South-east Asian economy after Thailand and Indonesia to revise growth expectations for this year.

    Bank Negara Malaysia on Monday (Jul 28) announced a lower economic growth forecast range of between 4 and 4.8 per cent for 2025, down from its earlier estimate of 4.5 to 5.5 per cent announced in March.

    The downgrade reflects rising uncertainty over global tariffs, shifting trade alliances and geopolitical instability – factors increasingly weighing on the outlook for export-reliant economies in the region.

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    Malaysia economyMalaysiaAseanAsean BusinessAsia-Pacific

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