Overview
- During a July 31 call with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, President Trump agreed to attend the October leaders’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
- The White House pushed the rollout of new US tariffs on Malaysian exports back one day, moving the announcement to August 1.
- Malaysia will learn the specific levy on its goods after the one-day postponement, with Washington assuring minimal economic impact.
- Trump lauded Kuala Lumpur’s diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire over the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute.
- The engagement reflects a broader US shift toward deeper involvement in Southeast Asia as ASEAN pushes for economic integration and partnership diversification.