From Washington to Kuala Lumpur: The return of civilisational dialogue

A Waiver, Not a Win

On August 11, President Trump signed an executive order—just hours before the tariff truce with China was due to expire—extending it by 90 days, until November 10. In doing so, he averted the scheduled surge in duties—from 30% to 145% on Chinese goods and 10% to 125% on U.S. exports—resolving what could have become a full-blown trade implosion.

This extension was packaged as a diplomatic olive branch. But the reality is more fraught: Trump’s “last-minute” retreat reveals a man trapped by his own escalation. Meanwhile, global markets rallied—not on triumph, but relief.

The political performance continued. U.S. stocks hit record highs as July's inflation data rose 2.7%, cooling fears and fuelling rate-cut expectations. Yet beneath the surface, the picture is complex—Core inflation remains strong, and businesses and consumers brace for the passing-on of tariff-induced costs.

Trump’s play is now overt: tease a September rate cut—just enough to reinflate hope—but hold it off, carefully, until he can choreograph a global applause line. Thus, the narrative urgency shifts to another stage.

Enter September 3. China will hold a massive military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist Victory—a grand, live-streamed global event showcasing unity not through arms, but through disciplined display under “Long Live the Great Solidarity of the World's Peoples.”

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to attend in his capacity as both ASEAN Chair and Country Coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations , raising Malaysia’s diplomatic stature and reaffirming its role as a civilisational bridge.

Trump might also want in. But unlike in Washington, here he cannot dominate the narrative. Expect him instead to launch competing spectacles—perhaps over Taiwan, UN corridors, or financial summits—designed to dilute Beijing's symbolism with his own.

But the biggest theatre awaits: October 26–28, Kuala Lumpur. This is not merely another ASEAN Summit. It’s envisioned as the most strategic, heavily attended convergence of global leaders in modern history—from ASEAN, East Asia, South Asia, the Gulf, Africa, Brazil, Russia, Europe, and the U.S. The world will descend on Malaysia.

Here, amid climate emergencies, digital disruption, fracturing supply chains, and geopolitical friction, civilisational dialogue—the respectful sharing of values—may finally find a new centre stage.

Trump may attend. But there’s no scripting it. Here lies Malaysia’s moment: not to choose sides, but to steer the conversation.

Next ticket markers:

• September 3: Beijing’s message in motion. • October 26–28: Kuala Lumpur’s global dialogue unfolds. • October 31–November 1: APEC in Seoul as follow-through. • November 10: U.S.–China deadline arrives. Victory or breakdown.

This is not about tariff truce. It is about whether the next decade is orchestrated by unilateral spectacle or shared narrative. China offers disciplined symbolism. Trump offers reality TV. Malaysia offers the reset—if we can hold the script.

Civilisational dialogue isn’t naive. It’s the only path that may lead us past the next cliff.

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CW Sim is Chief Strategic Advisor on Greater China, Strategic Pan Indo-Pacific Asia (SPIPA)