“IMPLICIT WARNING”
ASEAN member Vietnam, a manufacturing powerhouse, was slapped with 46 per cent tariffs and Cambodia — a major producer of low-cost clothing for big Western brands — was hit with a 49 per cent duty.
Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy, was hit with a 24 per cent tariff.
The tariffs have been paused for 90 days, but Trump has said no country is “off the hook”.
“Regionally, Xi is likely to frame China as a partner in stability and development, not a hegemon,” Khoo said.
“At the same time, his message carries an implicit warning, that is: don’t let Washington’s tariffs or alliances undermine Asia’s own regional cohesion,” she said.
Oh Ei Sun from the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia think tank, said Xi’s visit is like “a group of friends huddling together for warmth against harsh weather”.
Xi said on his arrival on Tuesday that he hopes his visit will usher in another “50 golden years” in China-Malaysia relations.
“I am confident that with our joint efforts, this will be a fruitful visit,” Xi said in a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
China and Malaysia celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year and enjoy robust trade ties, although Malaysia claims parts of the South China Sea over which Beijing has staked out near-blanket sovereignty.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with total trade between the two countries accounting for 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s global trade last year, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry.
Xi vowed in an opinion piece published in Malaysia’s The Star newspaper on Tuesday that China will work with Southeast Asian countries to fight protectionism and keep global supply chains stable.
“We must uphold the multilateral trading system, keep global industrial and supply chains stable, and maintain an international environment of openness and cooperation,” Xi said.
Xi will travel on Thursday to Cambodia, one of China’s staunchest allies in Southeast Asia and where Beijing has extended its influence in recent years.
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