The Kuala Lumpur rubber market closed lower on Friday, as geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainties dampened sentiment, with expectations of ample supply from Thailand adding further downward pressure.

⑴ The Kuala Lumpur rubber market closed lower on Friday, with traders citing the main influences as spillover effects from declines in regional rubber futures and crude oil prices. Continued geopolitical tensions in West Asia and global trade uncertainty triggered by the latest round of US tariff proposals, combined with expectations that US interest rates will remain high, together weighed on market sentiment. ⑵ Additional pressure came from seasonal demand weakness from China and expectations of ample supply from major rubber-producing countries like Thailand, but positive global economic data and the weakening ringgit against the US dollar partially cushioned the decline. ⑶ In terms of closing prices, the price of Malaysia Standard Rubber 20 fell by 14.5 sen to 892 sen per kilogram, while bulk latex dropped by 5 sen to 718 sen per kilogram.