Glove makers call for tariff talks with US over duty hike 

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) is urging the government to promptly enter sectoral tariff negotiations with the United States following Washington’s decision to raise import duties on rubber gloves to 25% starting from Aug 1.

Margma president Oon Kim Hung said its members were ready to support the government’s efforts in engaging with the United States to seek an exemption or, at minimum, maintain the existing 10% tariff.

“These gloves are not luxury items but essential medical supplies. A 25% tariff will disrupt supply chains, drive up healthcare costs, and hinder patient safety,” Oon said in a statement yesterday.

The association said Malaysia’s glove industry has long collaborated with the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MitiI) to curb trans-shipment abuse and maintain its reputation for quality and responsible manufacturing.

Margma called on Malaysia’s trade negotiators to seek the same sector-specific consideration granted to other strategic industries to ensure continued access for US healthcare providers to Malaysian-made gloves.

It noted that Malaysia supplies nearly half of the US demand for natural rubber and nitrile gloves, which are critical healthcare products subject to strict US Food and Drug Administration standards.

With US demand projected by Miti to reach US$4.17bil by 2030, Margma warned that higher tariffs could threaten patient care and drive up costs for hospitals and other healthcare providers.

“Rather than undermining US manufacturing, Malaysian glove makers have demonstrated their commitment to the American market.

“For example, Supermax Corp Bhd has invested US$350mil in a production facility in Texas, highlighting our industry’s long-term dedication to supporting US healthcare,” Oon said.

Supermax’s subsidiary, Maxter Healthcare Inc, had been scheduled to commercial production in the first quarter of this year.

The plant located in Rosharon, Texas, has a planned installed capacity to produce 360 million gloves per month.

He added that Margma reaffirmed its commitment to a sustainable global supply chains and expressed hope for a tariff outcome that balanced fair trade with public health priorities in both countries. — Bernama