Malaysia to host China’s Xi from April 15 amid US tariff tensions
Xi’s visit is part of Malaysia’s efforts to boost trade relations with China
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s government announced on Wednesday (Apr 9) it will host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a three-day visit next week, as the two countries grapple with tariffs imposed by the US.
The state visit will go from Apr 15 to Apr 17, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
“The Cabinet ministers have been informed that this visit is not only anticipated but is part of the government’s efforts... to see better trade relations with various countries including China,” Fahmi told reporters.
Xi’s visit marks his first trip to Malaysia since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took office in 2022. The two met in Beijing last November.
As US President Donald Trump’s tariffs rattle global markets, China is moving to solidify its economic and diplomatic foothold in the region.
China – Washington’s top economic rival but also a major trading partner – was the hardest hit, with tariffs imposed on its products now reaching a staggering 104 per cent.
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Malaysia, South-east Asia’s third-largest economy, was hit with a lower tariff of 24 per cent, though others within the 10-member Asean bloc saw some of the toughest levies.
While China has retaliated against Washington with tariffs of its own, South-east Asian governments have chosen the path of dialogue.
Malaysia, who is this year’s rotating chair of Asean regional bloc, will be hosting a special meeting of Asean economic ministers on Thursday to discuss how to respond to Trump’s tariffs.
Anwar called on Monday for South-east Asian countries to “stand firm together”.
The Chinese leader’s visit is like “a group of friends huddling together for warmth against harsh weather,” said political analyst Oh Ei Sun from the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia.
“Xi’s main message would be that China is in solidarity with South-east Asia amidst this socio-economic difficulty,” Oh told AFP.
“But of course, we would like to see it in more concrete forms in terms of more Chinese investment in Malaysia and the buying of more Malaysian goods by China for example,” he added. AFP
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