Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia Tour Comes as U.S. Tariff Chaos Creates Diplomatic Openings

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia today is seen as a calculated move to solidify China’s economic influence in Southeast Asia, just as the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) nears completion and Washington reintroduces sweeping tariffs under President Donald Trump.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia today is seen as a calculated move to solidify China’s economic influence in Southeast Asia, just as the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) nears completion and Washington reintroduces sweeping tariffs under President Donald Trump. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)

New details emerged on Wednesday about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-nation, week-long tour of Southeast Asia that begins next week.

Consistent with previous presidential tours, Chinese authorities were silent about Xi’s travel plans but the itinerary was eventually revealed piecemeal by officials in the various countries he will go to:

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by Eric Olander

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