Xi Jinping Urges Asian Unity Amid Rising US-China Trade Tensions:

During a diplomatic trip to Southeast Asia, President of China Xi Jinping encouraged Asian countries to come together more due to the rise in tensions from the US. He made his comments during the last leg of his three nation tour in which he traveled to Vietnam and Malaysia before ending in Cambodia.

Release of Cambodian Nationalization Strategy

During the state dinner in Malaysia, the ASEAN members were looking to draft the Nationalization Strategy and focus on post-covid recovery, tackling trade conflicts with the EU/US. To further aid the process, Asean’s stance on unipolar tariffs that can disrupt trade between nations is marked off as hostile. Xi delivered the statement, “China and Malaysia will stand with the region to battle sub currents of geopolitical and block level confrontation. Together we will safeguard the vibrant prospects our Asian family holds.”

Malaysia Strengthens Partnerships With China

Malaysia has successfully negotiated to further diminish the economic gap with China by signing a variety of agreements over collaborative manufacturing in the electronics and telecommunication sectors. Additionally, high quality data sourced from the China-Malaysia scholarly and industry partnership hub alongside integrated talent factories will be used to boost secondary educational institutes in Malaysia.

Xi Issues a Warning Against Outside Interference in Cambodia

Prior to arriving in Cambodia, Xi encouraged in a local media publication, that Cambodians work together in resisting foreign influences. In his words, “Together we must stand against hegemonism, power politics,” he cautioned against any foreign motives that would seek to disrupt the stability of the region.

It seems his intent was to consolidate support given the shifting economic relations between China and the United States.

Ongoing US-China Trade Tensions Heighten

As region countries became targets of US scrutiny, it is assumed that they are mulling over the idea of coercing their allies to impose embargoes on Chinese products in exchange for lifting some tariffs. The US under the leadership of Trump has continuously tormented China with imposing unprecedented surcharges on their imports which have now reached 145%. In response, China has been retaliating with US products placed under similar surveillance.

Both continue navigating through protectionist waters with USA trumpeting their unconventional approach while China expands its reach to regional partners to strengthen the country’s economic stance in the region. Despite ASEAN countries approaching cautiously to maintain a neutral stance between the two world powers, the pause in aggressive tarif offers for onslaughts offers a glimmer of optimism.

Vietnam Also Reiterates Strategic Partnership

Xi Visited Vietnam First, Where He Received A Ceremonial Welcome, And 45 Economic Agreements Were Signed. A Joint Statement Was Released, Reasserting The Countries Mutual Defense Against Unilateralism And Commitment Towards Regional Peace And Stablization. The Statement Reiterated Old Terms That Both Countries Have Used In Their Diplomatic Language Previously.