Malaysia's exports and foreign investment are growing strongly, but escalating US-China trade tensions, rising protectionism and the AI investment boom are reshaping the global economy. On The Breakfast Grille, we speak to Professor Dr Evelyn Devadason of Universiti Malaya and Dr Carmelo Ferlito, Economist and CEO of the Center for Market Education, about Malaysia's dependence on foreign markets, whether investment is building genuine domestic capabilities, and the competing arguments for government intervention versus market-led growth. Can Malaysia remain competitive while preserving its economic independence, and does ASEAN offer a credible way forward?
