By Harshit, Washington, D.C., October 26, 2025 – 6:30 AM EDT
Trump Kicks Off Asia Visit in Malaysia
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, launching a week-long diplomatic tour across Asia that will include high-stakes meetings with leaders from Japan, South Korea, and China. This marks Trump’s first trip to the region since returning to office in January.
On his first stop, Trump presided over the signing of a historic peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand, following months of ceasefire talks brokered by Malaysia and the United States. The agreement commits Thailand to promptly release Cambodian prisoners of war and initiate demining operations along their shared border.
“This accord symbolizes the power of diplomacy and partnership,” Trump said at the ASEAN–U.S. Summit in Kuala Lumpur. “We’re ending wars, one by one. Eight conflicts so far — and we’ll end the last one soon.”
Trump has frequently touted his role in mediating global conflicts, from Kosovo and Serbia to Israel and Hamas, though some nations have disputed his level of involvement. Still, the Cambodian–Thai truce marks a significant achievement in U.S.-backed peace diplomacy this year.
Trade Talks Ease U.S.-China Tensions
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have dominated global headlines in recent weeks, with both nations imposing sweeping trade measures. However, progress appeared possible after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held two days of talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Chinese state media reported that both sides reached a “basic consensus” on addressing their economic concerns, including issues related to maritime logistics, agricultural trade, tariffs, and export controls.
Bessent told reporters that a potential 100% U.S. tariff on Chinese imports — previously threatened by Trump — was now “off the table.” He added that Beijing had also eased its plans to expand export controls on rare earth minerals, critical to global technology production.
“We had a very good two-day meeting,” Bessent said. “The threat of 100% tariffs is gone, and so is the immediate threat of Chinese export restrictions.”
China echoed those remarks, confirming that both sides would continue to finalize the details of a new trade framework before next week’s Trump–Xi Jinping meeting at the APEC Summit in South Korea.
Reciprocal Trade Deals with Malaysia and Cambodia
The White House announced that both Malaysia and Cambodia had signed reciprocal trade agreements with the United States. The deals open access to critical minerals — such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths — and expand cooperation in energy, transportation, and technology.
Cambodia’s agreement ensures fair treatment for U.S. investors and introduces digital trade protections and labor standards. The Malaysian pact aims to reduce America’s trade deficit and foster partnerships in industrial and tech sectors.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described the deals as essential to building secure, diversified supply chains. “We live in a world where having critical minerals is vital to manufacturing and national security,” Greer said. “Partnerships like these make both our economies stronger.”
China currently controls more than 90% of global refined rare earth production, making this move a clear step by Washington to reduce dependence on Beijing.
Softened Tone Toward Brazil
During the ASEAN summit, Trump also met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marking their second meeting in two months. Despite past tensions — including Trump’s 50% tariff on Brazilian exports imposed in August — the U.S. president struck a conciliatory tone.
“I think we’ll make a deal with Brazil. We get along very well,” Trump said, noting that both countries could “work out some great trade arrangements.”
The improved relations follow months of strain after the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a close Trump ally, for an attempted coup. Asked if he would raise Bolsonaro’s case with Lula, Trump replied curtly, “None of your business.”
Looking Ahead: Trump–Xi Meeting Looms
The upcoming Trump–Xi summit in South Korea is expected to be the most consequential stop on Trump’s Asia tour. The meeting will address trade, technology access, and regional stability as both nations navigate their tense economic rivalry.
For now, Trump’s diplomatic sprint through Asia has produced immediate results: a peace accord, trade breakthroughs, and renewed dialogue between two of the world’s largest economies. Whether those gains hold in the long term remains to be seen — but the president’s return to Asia has already reshaped the geopolitical conversation.