Xi arrives in Malaysia with a message: China is a more reliable partner than Trump
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia marks his second stop in Southeast Asia, set against the backdrop of Trump-era tariffs and the ongoing U.S. trade war
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Malaysia on the second leg of his Southeast Asian tour, carrying a clear message: Beijing is a more dependable economic partner than the United States, amid escalating trade tensions driven by Washington.
Xi landed in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening, marking his first visit to Malaysia since 2013. His arrival follows a high-profile stop in Vietnam, where he signed numerous cooperation deals spanning artificial intelligence to rail infrastructure. Upon arrival, Xi emphasized that strengthening "high-level strategic cooperation" would benefit both nations and promote peace and prosperity across the region, according to Malaysia’s official news agency Bernama.
The tour which includes three countries comes as the U.S. under President Donald Trump imposes sweeping tariffs globally, straining relations with several ASEAN member states. Many in the region feel sidelined by Washington’s approach, setting the stage for Beijing to reinforce its position as Southeast Asia’s preferred partner.
“This visit is highly symbolic,” said Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, a former Malaysian ambassador to the U.S. and minister of legal affairs. “China wants to show it is a steady, trustworthy trading partner unlike the U.S., which has been unpredictable. We've never had major issues with China.”
He added that under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia is aligning more closely with China, a move he believes will diminish U.S. influence over time.
Trade and diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia have grown steadily, Abdul Aziz noted. “Our mindset is very China-focused now.”
Malaysia was recently targeted by a 24 percent tariff from the U.S., allegedly in retaliation for Malaysia’s own 47 percent tariff on American imports a figure Malaysian officials dispute. Although Trump has temporarily reduced some of the most punitive tariffs to 10 percent for several nations, China continues to face a staggering 145 percent levy.
‘Bypassing America’
Xi will spend three days in Malaysia, meeting with King Sultan Ibrahim ibni Iskandar and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and attending official banquets before departing for Cambodia.
In Vietnam, Xi called for unity against “hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism,” according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, and advocated for more inclusive globalization.
Meanwhile, Trump has dismissed these efforts, accusing China and Vietnam of working together to “screw the United States.”
Xi’s stop in Malaysia, analysts say, is partly designed to showcase China’s ability to offer an alternative to American-led global frameworks through organizations like BRICS and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade bloc, which includes all ASEAN members alongside China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
“China is using this moment to architect a new global order,” said James Chin, professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania. “Trump’s approach has given them the perfect excuse to push harder, particularly among developing countries.”
One of China’s goals, Chin added, is to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar by establishing currency swaps with partner nations—allowing trade in local currencies or the Chinese renminbi.
Strategic Importance of Malaysia
Among the countries on Xi’s itinerary, analysts say Malaysia stands out due to its 32 million-strong population, expanding tech sector, and its current role as ASEAN chair. China has been Malaysia’s top trading partner since 2009, with bilateral trade reaching $212 billion in 2024.
“China wants to boost trade with Malaysia to offset declining exports to the U.S.,” said Willy Wo-Lap Lam, a senior China analyst at the U.S.-based Jamestown Foundation. “Malaysia also holds considerable sway within ASEAN, including in matters related to the South China Sea.”
Alfred Muluan Wu of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore noted that Malaysia falls within what Beijing considers its traditional regional sphere of influence—both diplomatically and economically. Through the “China Plus One” strategy, Chinese firms are increasingly setting up operations in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, as part of a broader diversification of manufacturing and supply chains.
According to Ei Sun Oh, principal adviser at Malaysia’s Pacific Research Center, Xi’s visit also aims to nudge Kuala Lumpur further away from Washington’s orbit. “Malaysia might occasionally flirt with closer ties to China to signal dissatisfaction with the U.S.—especially over issues like the Middle East conflict,” he said, referencing the country’s strong support for Palestine.
Ultimately, though, economics takes precedence. “Malaysia is eager to attract more Chinese investment and expand market access,” Oh explained.
Abdul Aziz agreed: “If Malaysia is leaning closer to China, it’s because we profit from the relationship.”
Watch This Important Video
