With Xi Jinping En Route to Malaysia, ASEAN Calls Special Summit to Discuss US Tariffs Pressure

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim with Indonesian presiden Prabowo Subianto. ASEAN will convene its leaders to discuss Trump's Tariffs days before Xi bilateral visit to Malaysia.
Malaysia PM, Anwar Ibrahim, left, with Indonesia's President, Prabowo Subianto, in Kuala Lumpur, January 27, 2025. ASEAN will convene its leaders to discuss Trump's Tariffs days before Xi bilateral visit to Malaysia. (Photo: AFP)

Amid escalating trade tensions triggered by sweeping US tariffs, ASEAN will convene a Special Leaders’ Meeting following a call for unity by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim—just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia for a state visit.

Speaking on Thursday, Anwar confirmed that preparations are underway for the high-level ASEAN summit, which aims to address potential disruptions to regional trade, supply chains, and cross-border investment caused by recent US trade actions.

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