US aims for free trade with Malaysia by year-end

SUBANG, Malaysia (Reuters) – The United States hopes to
conclude a free-trade agreement with Malaysia, its 10th largest
trading partner, by the end of this year, Washington’s
ambassador in Kuala Lumpur said on Thursday.

Earlier, in Washington, the two countries launched
free-trade talks in a move aimed at strengthening U.S. economic
ties in the strategically important Southeast Asian region.