PUTRAJAYA: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will arrive here today in a visit seen as an affirmation of US commitment under President Donald Trump to further strengthen bilateral ties with Malaysia.
Tillerson, who will be visiting for two days, is the first senior official of the Trump administration to come here.
This will be his first visit to Malaysia since his appointment to the post on Feb 1.
Tillerson is expected to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak soon after he lands in the evening.
He will call on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday.
Both meetings are scheduled to be held in the Prime Minister’s and Deputy Prime Minister’s respective offices at the Parliament building.
“The visit will provide the opportunity for both Malaysia and the United States to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional and international matters,” said Wisma Putra.
Tillerson has been in this region since Aug 5, visiting Manila to take part in several regional meetings, including the Asean Regional Forum and the US-Asean Ministerial Meeting. He will call on Thailand before coming here.
The United States was Malaysia’s third largest trading partner last year.
Between January and May this year, bilateral trade grew by 23.3%, amounting to RM68.2bil compared with RM55.3bil in the same period last year.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/08/us-state-secretary-arriving-for-twoday-visit/#8Z7TQTwz1U8Xf3Ke.99
