Key points
- Trump to join US-China trade discussions
- Thailand, Cambodia to sign ceasefire deal
- Myanmar crisis divides ASEAN over election stance
KUALA LUMPUR: Southeast Asian leaders will host global heads of state in Malaysia this weekend for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, held alongside critical trade talks between the United States and China.
The gathering also marks the start of US President Donald Trump’s Asia tour, which includes visits to Japan and South Korea.
ASEAN is expected to advocate for trade multilateralism and stronger international partnerships while managing the fallout from Trump’s tariff policies.
“This represents a new strategic direction for Malaysia and ASEAN in expanding diplomatic and trade ties with other regions,” Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, reports Reuters.
Leaders from China, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan will also attend. East Timor will formally join ASEAN as its 11th member, a political milestone though the economic impact remains unclear.
Signing of ceasefire agreement
Trump is set to witness the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia after Malaysia brokered an initial truce in July. The deal, involving mine clearance and troop withdrawals, follows deadly border clashes earlier this year.
However, ASEAN remains divided over how to handle Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. Ministers are expected to debate whether to send observers to Myanmar’s December election, widely dismissed as a sham.
Trump’s delegation includes senior US officials for talks with Chinese representatives aimed at easing trade tensions before his meeting with President Xi Jinping next week. The two sides will discuss tariffs, rare earth export curbs, and nuclear limits.
The summit will also address US tariffs on ASEAN exports — currently between 10% and 40% — and explore new trade arrangements. On the sidelines, leaders of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), including China, Japan, and South Korea, will meet to reinforce Asia-Pacific economic cooperation.
