(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Min Kyung-rak = U.S. President Donald Trump began his Asian tour, which includes stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, with a surprise dance.
According to foreign news agencies such as AP, Reuters, and DPA, President Trump arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit was held, on the 26th (local time) and was warmly welcomed by the local delegation.
As soon as he got off Air Force One, he was greeted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and a dance performance by a troupe in traditional Malaysian costume followed along the red carpet.
President Trump stopped in front of the troupe to catch the rhythm, then responded with a dance that lasted about 10 seconds, drawing attention.
This is the same gesture he performed during his 2020 campaign to the old pop song"YMCA," with his fist clenched and his arms swinging back and forth. He also performed the same dance to the crowd's"USA" chants during his visit to a UFC stadium in April of this year.
The Associated Press described President Trump's surprise performance that day as"his trademark campaign dance."
President Trump received the American and Malaysian flags from the welcoming delegation and made a gesture of waving them from side to side as if they were windshield wipers.
He looked somewhat excited ahead of his Asian tour, which began in earnest on this day.
In his speech at the ASEAN summit that day, President Trump said,"The United States is with you 100 percent and will remain a strong partner for generations to come." He also praised the heads of state of each country as "great leaders" and said,"Everything you touch turns to gold."
President Trump presided over ceasefire agreement ceremonies in Thailand and Cambodia as his first stop on the day, demonstrating his status as a"peacemaker."
The risk of conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has been heightened since fighting erupted in July, killing at least 48 people over five days. President Trump has been pressuring both countries to reach a ceasefire, using the suspension of trade negotiations as leverage.
"I'm very excited because we did something that many people said couldn't be done, and we probably saved millions of lives," Trump said at the armistice ceremony.
President Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar and then attend the ASEAN leaders' working dinner.
After traveling to Japan on the 27th, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the following day. This will be the first US-Japan summit since Prime Minister Takaichi was elected.
On the 29th, he will travel to Korea and hold a summit meeting with President Lee Jae-myung.
President Trump will not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, but he will deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO luncheon and have a working dinner with leaders.
