ASEAN seeks stronger ties with China, Gulf states amid Trump tariff threat

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Arab Gulf states reached out to President Trump's U.S. tariffs as a catalyst for new economic partnerships. The summit, marking the first of its kind, brings together leaders from ASEAN, China, and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council in Kuala Lumpur, with the goal of countering Trump's protectionist trade policies. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized during opening remarks that the meeting aims to explore pathways for collaboration by leveraging their collective strengths.