Among the highlights will be the meeting between economic superpowers China and the United States (US) amid a surge in bilateral trade tension and a Malaysian-brokered peace deal for Thailand-Cambodia to be witnessed by Anwar and US President Donald Trump. 

All eyes will therefore be focused on the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to be held from Oct 26-28 and whether history will be made at the sprawling Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

If an agreement between Thailand-Cambodia is inked, it will mark a significant milestone for both ASEAN’s long-standing commitment towards a peaceful resolution for regional conflicts through negotiation and mutual understanding and for Malaysia’s role as host in making this happen.

A possible meeting between Trump and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is also crucial to mending strained ties, taking into account rising tension between them for several months now.

The potential meeting comes as Brazil seeks to address hefty tariffs imposed by Washington on its key exports. 

Should their dialogue take place, it would be a pivotal step in recalibrating the somewhat testy trade relations between two of the largest economies in the Americas.

As guest of the Chair, President Lula da Silva’s first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office for a new term in January 2023 might turn into a landmark trip towards better relations with Washington.

The slew of major side events taking place in Kuala Lumpur this weekend is not lost on the global community, with analysts saying Malaysia is fast emerging as a balancing force to be reckoned with among rivals in promoting peace and fair trade.

Kuala Lumpur’s initiative surely reflects Malaysia’s active diplomatic role within ASEAN and dialogue partners in facilitating dialogue and promoting political stability in line with the bloc’s principle of consensus and policy of non-interference.

Multilayered diplomacy in motion

More than 30 heads of state and government will converge here to discuss regional peace, economic cooperation, resilience, integration and inclusive growth under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, aptly themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

Other leaders attending the summit are China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and President José Ramos-Horta as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (attending virtually).

Also joining the event will be Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas, as well as Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono and Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago.

Others include Chinese Premier Li Qiang, European Council President Antonio Costa, Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

There are great expectations that Malaysia’s hosting of the summits will be credited with bringing calm to a somewhat turbulent global scenario.

Notably, China has confirmed that the world’s second largest economy would meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer from Friday, to resolve tariff issues and Beijing’s restrictions on rare earth exports.

ASEAN and the US are expected to strengthen economic cooperation through the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) and discussions with ASEAN will set the stage for renewed economic linkages.

Malaysia’s neutrality strengthens role as global mediator

Universiti Kuala Lumpur Business School economist Associate Prof Major Dr Mohd Harridon Mohamed Suffian said the signing of ART would somehow ensure that products from ASEAN, particularly in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors, would receive fair treatment from US authorities.

“Malaysia’s neutrality has enabled it to emerge as a de facto mediator for countries vying for economic prominence.

“Malaysia could provide the leverage and the economic platform for countries to find a propitious solution for the benefit of the global economy,” he told Bernama.

Malaysia itself is expected to sign a reciprocal tariff agreement with the US at the summit, with the agricultural, industrial and manufacturing sectors as well as businesses engaged in trade and investment set to benefit.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ongoing discussions and negotiations would certainly help towards greater global integration, taking into account domestic interests as well as pursuing a fairer outcome for participating countries.

“We have various multilateral and bilateral trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as well as free trade agreements, where there are overlaps and require further negotiations to arrive at a win-win solution,” he said. 

Therefore, he said, the ASEAN Summit could be the right platform to showcase Malaysia’s commitment for global trade and commerce as well as becoming the balancing force amidst trade hostility.

The summit will be a good opportunity for economic superpowers and major economies to see eye-to-eye on issues confronting regional and global economies.

This would open up opportunities for economic rivals to come to a common understanding for mutual benefit.


Kudos to Malaysia and Anwar for bringing global leaders together in Kuala Lumpur as nothing beats personal engagements and face-to-face interactions between them in efforts to achieve peace and economic prosperity.

Malaysia certainly has done right in setting the stage to provide that much-needed panacea in what is somewhat a turbulent global scenario currently.

-- BERNAMA