It is individual companies that sell these cells, “not the government”, he said.
However, he said, the government will conduct the necessary investigations before providing an official response, he told reporters after the launch of China car company Chery’s assembly plant.
Last week, the US International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to continue anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on CSP cells imported from Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The commission determined there is a reasonable indication that a US industry is “materially injured” by imports of CSP cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from the four countries.
In its statement, the USITC said the products are allegedly sold in the US “at less than fair value and subsidised” by the governments of Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Tengku Zafrul emphasised that Washington was taking action against the companies and not the government.
On another matter, the minister said the Five-Year Programme for Economic and Trade Cooperation is expected to be signed soon, during the inaugural visit of Chinese premier Li Qiang to Malaysia.
“This initiative will further deepen linkages between our industries in priority sectors like manufacturing, digital economy, robotics, entrepreneur development, innovation and startup as well as R&D in agriculture and primary industries,” he said.
Separately, Tengku Zafrul said that Putrajaya and Beijing are expected to sign two memorandums of understanding during Li’s visit: one on strengthening investment cooperation in the digital economy and another on promoting investment cooperation in green development.
“Insya-Allah, we can get it signed tomorrow.”
He also said that Chery’s decision to set up an assembly plant in Shah Alam debunked allegations that Malaysia’s automotive supply chain could not be cost-effective.
He said the decision would also promote domestic production and job creation.
“Chery’s swift move into localisation involves substantial investment in local vendors. This approach has significantly reduced the cost of Chery’s locally produced components,” he said.