ASEAN Begins Talks with China and Gulf Nations

Leaders from Southeast Asia have gathered for a historic summit alongside China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as they work to protect their trade-reliant economies from potential new trade restrictions imposed by the United States.

The gathering is being hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, and forms part of the annual meeting of the 10-country bloc known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Malaysia, currently chairing the bloc, is joined by fellow member countries Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The high-level discussions are set to take place following prior meetings held between ASEAN and the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

As the ASEAN-GCC session commenced, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that increased cooperation between these regions would play a vital role in boosting mutual support and long-term development.

“I believe the ASEAN-GCC partnership has never been more important than it is today, as we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape marked by economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges,” Anwar said.

Ahead of the summit, Anwar noted in a prepared statement that “a transition in the geopolitical order is underway” and warned that “the global trading system is under further strain, with the recent imposition of US uniunilateral tariffs.”

He also cautioned that the rise in trade restrictions globally is contributing to “multilateralism breaking apart at the seams.”

China Pushes for Economic Unity

Arriving in Kuala Lumpur a day before the official summit, China’s Premier Li Qiang expressed Beijing’s commitment to deeper economic connections among China, ASEAN, and the GCC during his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar.

“At a time when unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise and world economic growth is sluggish,” Li said, China, ASEAN and GCC countries “should strengthen coordination and cooperation and jointly uphold open regionalism and true multilateralism.”

Li conveyed Beijing’s openness to collaborating with Malaysia and other regional players to “promote closer economic cooperation among the three parties” in facing global difficulties.

While ASEAN traditionally balances relations with both Washington and Beijing, recent tariff threats from the Trump administration have put a strain on that neutrality.

Among the most impacted were six ASEAN countries, which saw U.S. tariff rates climb to as high as 49 percent.

In a move that temporarily eased tensions, a 90-day suspension of these tariffs was announced earlier this year, including a separate accord reached with China.

Officials say that ASEAN nations are now keen to broaden their economic ties with regions such as the Middle East and East Asia, as part of broader efforts to shield their markets.

A sign of how much weight the Gulf region places on this summit is reflected in the delegation it has dispatched. Attending are several high-profile leaders, including the Emir of Qatar, crown princes from Kuwait and Bahrain, and a deputy prime minister from Oman.

Anwar also mentioned that he had sent a letter requesting an ASEAN-US leaders’ summit within the year, stressing the importance of regional cooperation. Yet, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry, there had been no formal reply from Washington at the time.

ASEAN often functions as a neutral connector in global affairs, maintaining open dialogue with major powers such as the United States and China. Experts have said that due to the unpredictability of U.S. economic policy, ASEAN countries are seeking new partnerships to avoid over-dependence.

“Given the uncertainty and unpredictability associated with economic relations with the United States, ASEAN member states are looking to diversify,” a regional affairs scholar stated.

“Facilitating exchanges between the Gulf and People’s Republic of China is one aspect of this diversification.”

Malaysia, which played host to the start of ASEAN’s 46th annual summit, is seen as the driving force behind this multilateral engagement.

China, meanwhile, is exploring ways to expand into alternative markets after bearing the brunt of steep tariffs from the U.S.

Analysts suggest that Premier Li’s involvement in this summit comes at a strategic moment. “China sees an opportunity here to reinforce its image as a reliable economic partner, especially in the face of Western decoupling efforts,” one regional expert commented.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China had intensified until a temporary understanding was reached during negotiations in Switzerland to pause tariffs for three months.

Still, Chinese exports continue to face elevated U.S. tariff rates compared to most other countries.