Picture Credit: Qilai Shen / Bloomberg via Getty Images (File Photo)
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump touched down in Kuala Lumpur, opening his multi-nation tour of Asia that includes Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, against the backdrop of an ongoing trade war.
While regional trade and investment pacts are anticipated, the highlight of the trip will be Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated in recent months over tariffs, rare earth supplies, technology, and drug trafficking concerns.
Speaking on Thursday, Trump voiced confidence about the outcome, saying, “I think we are going to come out very well and everyone’s going to be very happy.”
The Trump–Xi meeting will likely take place on 30 October on the sidelines of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, a historic South Korean city.
Trump’s first stop, however, will be the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday and Monday.
In addition to the ten ASEAN leaders and Trump, the list of invited dialogue partners includes Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Australia’s Anthony Albanese, and Canada’s Mike Carney, a reflection of the region’s growing economic significance.
Travelling with Trump are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though invited, will join the summit virtually.
ASEAN Nations Grapple with Tariff Pressures
Several ASEAN nations, particularly Laos and Myanmar, continue to face difficulties following the 40 per cent tariffs imposed by Trump in August.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Cambodia, whose earlier border dispute remain mediated by the US president, will likely sign a peace accord during the meetings, reinforcing Trump’s image as a dealmaker.
The APEC gathering will be dominated by anticipation over the Trump–Xi encounter, with reports suggesting the American president might forgo the main leaders’ session in favour of one-on-one discussions.
China has threatened to impose broad export restrictions on rare earth minerals, while the US has warned of an additional 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, potentially pushing total duties up to 157 per cent.
Trump has demanded that Beijing lift its curbs on rare earths and magnets, resume purchases of American soybeans, and halt the export of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals.
Whether the meeting produces tangible progress will depend on the leaders’ ability to reconcile these disputes or, at minimum, signal mutual compromise.
“When we finish our meetings in South Korea, China, and I will have a really fair and really great trade deal together,” Trump stated.
The US president is also likely to use his time in Asia to court new investments and will appear at an APEC CEOs’ forum, though he may skip the formal summit of leaders.
This year’s APEC theme, ‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper’, is to be at odds with Trump’s views, as he reportedly dislikes the focus on sustainability and climate issues.
South Korea is considering awarding him the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, its highest civilian distinction.
No Meeting with Kim Jong Un
Despite early rumours, there will be no meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the visit.
On Wednesday, Pyongyang launched several ballistic missiles, its first since May, reaffirming its defiant stance.
Between the two summits, Trump will travel to Japan from Monday to Wednesday, where discussions will centre on trade and investment. His itinerary also includes an audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.
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