‘China does not colonise’: Dr Mahathir calls for Malaysian pivot in warning for Trump’s America
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad meets with well-wishers on his 100th birthday at the Perdana Leadership Foundation,in Putrajaya, on July 10, 2025. — Picture By Raymond Manuel
Friday, 11 Jul 2025 9:45 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described China as a neighbour for “almost 2,000 years,” arguing that Southeast Asian nations should strengthen ties with Beijing rather than submit to President Donald Trump’s trade war tactics.
In an interview with Bloomberg’s Mishal Husain, the politician who turned 100 yesterday painted China as a benevolent regional power while warning that Trump’s protectionist policies would ultimately damage America more than the rest of the world.
“The fact is that China is a neighbour and has been a neighbor of Malaysia for the past almost 2,000 years,” Dr Mahathir said, emphasising the deep historical relationship between the two nations.
He contrasted China’s approach with European expansion, stating: “The attitude of China is different from Europeans. The Chinese may invade, but they do not colonise.”
Dr Mahathir recalled how “the Portuguese, when they came here in 1509, two years later they conquered us,” drawing a sharp distinction between Chinese and Western imperial behavior.
When asked what he would tell Trump directly about his trade policies, Dr Mahathir delivered a blunt assessment: “I will tell him that he’s wrong. His strategy is wrong. It’s going to damage America more than the rest of the world.”
He argued that American industries relocated overseas “cannot come back to America in the short term,” meaning the US would continue importing products while paying higher tariffs.
Instead of capitulating to Washington’s demands, Dr Mahathir advocated for economic diversification: “The rest of the world is not imposing high tariffs. So we should increase our trade with the rest of the world. With China, for example.”
He suggested that countries could “mitigate the effect of Trump’s high tariffs by avoiding America” and strengthening relationships with other trading partners.
Addressing concerns about China’s political system, Dr Mahathir adopted a pragmatic stance: “We have lived with
Wa ka ka - TUN DR SATAN-hathir trying to be releavent in a LOVE HAMAS-Arafat and trying to out do and shine Hamas Facist Supremacist Terrorist Lover Anwar.....malaySIAL is DOOMED Economically.....SEMUA BARANG SUDAH NAIK.....INFLATION UP.... Small Biznes cutting Cost and Raising Price for SST.....Bank Negara Need to Cut at Least 1.5 Percent More to really simulate Growth....Foreigners are Moving elsewhere with CHEAPER LOAN and COST OF DOING Biznes... TUN DR SATAN-hathir called DAP with COMMUNIST LINK in the 60s, 70s, 80s....NOW Hudaibiyah and LICK CHINA FEET OR BUTT?
ReplyDeletePulau Layang Layang , James Shoal , Malaysia's entire EEZ in the South China Sea is at risk of being swallowed as China Territorial waters if Malaysia "pivots" i.e. Kowtows to China per what Mahathir demands.
ReplyDeleteWow… parading yr version of the SCS EEZ entitlement claim!
DeletePlay yr mfering proximity chants AGAIN lah.
Proximity Matters , idiot
DeleteSo give up yr heirloom factory lah bcoz it touches my jamban!
Delete