US President Donald Trump has commenced a diplomatic tour of Asia, starting with his arrival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This visit is expected to focus heavily on trade, particularly regarding tensions between the US and China, the world’s two largest economies. Trump’s itinerary includes participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, followed by stops in Japan and South Korea, where he plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A primary goal for Trump during this trip will be to negotiate new trade agreements that benefit American businesses while continuing to generate revenue from tariffs. The upcoming meeting with Xi is particularly significant, as it may influence the trajectory of US-China relations during Trump’s remaining term. The backdrop to these negotiations includes Trump’s acknowledgment that high tariffs on Chinese goods are not sustainable and could lead to detrimental effects on both economies and beyond.
From the Chinese perspective, Xi aims to adopt a tougher negotiating stance, leveraging China’s dominance in rare earth materials while confronting domestic challenges such as high youth unemployment and a real estate crisis. Analysts suggest that concessions from the US, like advanced technology exports, could be exchanged for trade compromises.
Additionally, Trump’s engagement in a peace agreement ceremony between Thailand and Cambodia exemplifies his desire to showcase a leadership role in the region. ASEAN nations, still reeling from the impacts of Trump’s previous tariff policies, hope his presence will normalize relations with the US.
Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, will face her first test of capability during this summit, aiming to secure favorable trade agreements and forge a cooperative relationship with Trump. Similarly, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is focused on navigating ongoing tariff discussions while managing speculation regarding potential interactions with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
As the week unfolds, the ability of these nations to advance trade discussions and mitigate ongoing tensions may prove crucial for regional stability.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d6jnn37l2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss