Xi Jinping's tour: against the background of the trade war with the USA, the leader of the People's Republic of China will go to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia
Kyiv • UNN
The Chinese leader will visit three Southeast Asian countries to strengthen economic ties. The visit takes place against the background of trade tensions between the USA and China.
Next week, the Chinese leader will visit three countries in Southeast Asia, which were preparing for Trump's "reciprocal" customs policy. One of the most important should be Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia, which chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
UNN reports with reference to Nikkei Asia.
Details
Chinese President Xi Jinping will begin his first foreign tour of the year next week. The Chinese leader plans to visit Vietnam first, followed by Malaysia and Cambodia. The key goal is to strengthen economic relations in Southeast Asia during the crisis in trade relations with the United States.
China sees Southeast Asia as key to its strategy of strengthening ties with neighboring countries. Beijing promises to promote the creation of a "shared future" with a number of countries in the region.
Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia is key, as this country chairs ASEAN this year. Last year, ASEAN was China's largest trading partner, followed by the European Union and the United States.
The issue that probably worries the Chinese leadership is that the ASEAN bloc, instead of taking retaliatory measures against Washington's customs measures, announced that it would participate in negotiations with the United States.
US tariffs on imports from China amount to 145% - White House10.04.25, 18:26 • 12594 views
Malaysia's further actions may more clearly determine whether Anwar Ibrahim's government is interested in maintaining a neutral, non-bloc foreign policy amid growing tensions between the United States and China. Xi's upcoming visit is obviously aimed at testing this ability. This is according to former Malaysian Ambassador and foreign policy analyst Ilango Karuppannan, former Malaysian Ambassador and foreign policy analyst.
The Southeast Asian market retains significant potential for China
China considers Southeast Asia to be a "huge potential" for economic and trade cooperation.
In 2024, China's share of cargo destined for Southeast Asia increased to 16.4% from 12.8% in 2018. However, the economic prospects of, for example, Cambodia and Vietnam remain unclear. The two countries were targeted for some of the highest tariffs due to allegations that China is using them as production bases to circumvent trade restrictions. Vietnam is calling on Beijing to increase imports, including agricultural and aquatic products, to expand foreign trade.
These two countries have been targeted for the highest tariffs due to allegations that China is using them as production bases to circumvent trade restrictions.
Currently, Vietnam is calling on Beijing to increase imports, especially agricultural and aquatic products, to expand its foreign trade.
Let us remind you
EU representatives plan to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in July to discuss trade. This comes amid trade tensions between the US and China.