Trump's visit to ASEAN Summit sends positive signal to investors - MITI

Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Deputy Secretary-General (Trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, said Trump's presence provides an opportunity for ASEAN member countries -- under Malaysia's chairmanship -- to highlight the region's role in the global supply chain.

She said the products manufactured by ASEAN countries are not meant to compete with the US, but rather to complement the global supply chain as a whole.

"Therefore, when he comes here and meets in person, it makes it easier for ASEAN nations to convince the US that ASEAN is a stable and vital region within the overall global supply chain," said Mastura during Bernama TV's talk show Ruang Bicara, titled "Trump in KL: Between Principles, Influence and Prospects", on Friday.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia tomorrow (Oct 26) to attend the 47th Asean Summit.

Meanwhile, Mastura, who is also Malaysia's chief negotiator for the US tariff discussions, stressed that as ASEAN Chair, Malaysia remains steadfast in upholding the region's neutral stance.

"We do not take sides. We do not only befriend some countries and leave others out. ASEAN welcomes all nations that wish to cooperate and contribute towards developing the region's economy," she said.

At the same time, Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, International Political Analyst and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) of Universiti Utara Malaysia, described the US president's visit as an effort to restore balance against China's growing influence, which currently dominates Southeast Asia in terms of trade and economics.

He said Trump's presence differs from that of previous US presidents such as Lyndon B. Johnson, who visited during the Cold War era, and Barack Obama, who came to Malaysia in 2014 while the country was engaged in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations.

"This time, Trump's visit focuses on different aspects. I see his main emphasis being on trade relations between ASEAN and the US -- how they can be strengthened and the possibility of renegotiating tariffs.

"The second aspect concerns security. The South China Sea will certainly be among the key agenda items, alongside issues involving Myanmar and the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand," he said as a guest on Ruang Bicara.

In this context, Mohd Azizuddin said continued cooperation between the US and ASEAN nations can be seen as an effort to restore and reaffirm America's influence in the region.

The 47th ASEAN Summit and its related meetings will take place from Oct 26 to 28 under Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability".

The event is expected to be one of the largest gatherings in the bloc's history, serving as an important platform to foster deeper cooperation and address regional and global challenges in an integrated and inclusive manner.

More than 30 heads of state and government, including ASEAN leaders and key dialogue partners such as the US, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, are expected to attend.

This marks the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship since 1967, following its previous terms in 2015, 2005, 1997, and 1977.