Overview

• Leaders from ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council and China, including Premier Li Qiang, are convening in Kuala Lumpur for the inaugural trilateral summit to strengthen economic cooperation.
• The summit reflects ASEAN’s push to reduce reliance on US markets because President Trump’s tariffs have disrupted regional trade and accelerated diversification efforts.
• Malaysia, as 2025 ASEAN chair, spearheads the initiative and has asked the US for a bloc-wide summit, though Washington has not yet responded.
• China’s Premier Li underscored Beijing’s strategic move to bolster its image as a reliable partner as goods bound for the US are re-routed to Southeast Asian markets.
• Gulf states aim to hedge their dependence on any single economy by expanding partnerships in Asia, targeting investment and energy export opportunities.