Key regional deals and milestones expected
PETALING JAYA: The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur this weekend is set to be one of the grouping's largest gatherings of leaders, which will see US President Donald Trump and newly appointed heads from Japan, South Korea and Thailand make their international debuts.
Leaders from Canada, Brazil and South Africa are also expected to be in town, as Asean Chair Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim invited them.
Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, an Asean dialogue partner, will be making his first visit to Asia.
Observers say the presence of world leaders signals renewed diplomatic momentum for Malaysia and the region, and stronger hopes for collaboration in economic recovery, supply chain stability and regional peace amid ongoing global trade tensions.
Anwar is set to hold bilateral talks with Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, 64, who made history on Oct 21 as the country’s first female leader.
This will also be Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's first visit to Malaysia and his second official overseas visit since taking office on Sept 7.
It will also mark the international debut of South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who took office on July 3.
Among the high-profile arrivals expected tomorrow are Trump and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
More than 30 heads of state and government, including Asean leaders and key dialogue partners such as Australia and New Zealand, will converge at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to discuss regional peace and economic resilience, among others.
Anwar, who will chair several key sessions, including the Asean-US and East Asia Summits (EAS), is expected to stress unity and centrality as the bloc faces growing pressure to balance ties between the United States and China.
Malaysia and the United States are finalising a new Reciprocal Trade Agreement covering tariffs, digital trade and national security clauses, signalling a possible new chapter in bilateral ties.
Trump also previously made it clear that he hopes to seal a “good” deal with China and end a bitter trade war between the world’s two largest economies that has caused global shockwaves.
According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump will attend an expanded bilateral meeting with Anwar.
The US President will then take part in a signing ceremony with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Anutin in the evening, believed to involve a border dispute deal between the two South-East Asian countries.
Trump is set to conclude the day by participating in the 13th Asean-US Summit and a working dinner with Asean leaders before departing on Monday.
“President Trump’s attendance would boost the summit's visibility and signal that the United States is willing to adopt a more active role and increase its visible involvement in the region’s security and economic agenda,” said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, a partner at strategic advisory firm ADA Southeast Asia.
“While Asean wants to maintain its balance, Trump will likely seek clearer alignment, particularly as member states revisit tariff frameworks and explore deeper trade cooperation.”
He said the event is one of the most significant Asean summits in recent years, as “we are witnessing key milestones including the addition of a new member, a regional peace accord and deeper trade integration, all amid intensifying US-China rivalry”.
“With the United States reasserting its presence and China deepening its trade engagement, Asean’s ability to demonstrate unity and maintain balance between both powers will ultimately shape its role in the region’s future,” he said.
The main summit will kick off tomorrow with the opening ceremony, the Asean Prize Presentation, the signing of the Declaration on Timor-Leste, and the handover ceremony of the Second Protocol to Amend the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga).
Key meetings such as the Asean Plus Three Summit, the East Asia Summit and a series of Asean+1 engagements with major partners, including the United Nations, will follow.
Izzah Ibrahim, an analyst in Foreign Policy and Security Studies at Isis Malaysia, said Trump’s presence serves as recognition, if not endorsement, by the current US administration of Asean’s value, especially at a time when the US presence in the region is heavily scrutinised.
“On the other hand, the attention to Trump and his recent rhetoric and actions can act as distractions from other pressing matters that require Asean’s attention,” she said.
She added that Trump’s presence will also bring the tariff negotiations and questions regarding the status of the Asean-US trade agreement to the top of the economic agenda.
“With the exception of Trump’s vested interests in following through to a formal Thai-Cambodia peace deal, it is unlikely that discussions on regional security would change significantly.
“The region has been generally averse to openly discussing security concerns as they are considered internal issues, and they are even more averse to involving great powers,” she said.
The event will also see Timor-Leste’s active participation towards its accession as Asean’s 11th member, which is expected to be formalised during the summit.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar, an Indonesian academic and former adviser to ex-Indonesian president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, said the summit is expected to see several significant milestones within Asean, including heightened anticipation surrounding Timor-Leste’s inclusion.
“Trump will definitely make more headlines even without the Gaza issue. So, a lot of attention will be given to how world leaders interact,” she said.
She also said it will be good for Asean to engage directly with Trump, as it will be beneficial for all stakeholders.
The summit will conclude on Tuesday with the closing ceremony and handover of the Asean Chairmanship to the Philippines, marking the culmination of a landmark year for Malaysia in advancing regional cooperation and inclusivity.
The Foreign Ministry is the lead agency organising the summit.
