China: Xi Jinping Advances Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Southeast Asia ended with a visit to Cambodia.

Amid the escalating trade war with the United States, unleashed by the imposition of President Donald Trump’s duties, which, if his latest statements are to be believed, could reach 245% (Beijing has described this prospect as completely devoid of economic sense), Xi is trying to strengthen ties with neighboring states.

After signing a series of cooperation agreements in Hanoi, where he sought Vietnam’s support to “oppose Trump’s bully politics,” the Chinese president headed to Malaysia. Here he met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whom he urged to “resist disengagement, the breaking of production chains, and the concept of small courtyards with high walls.” During the visit, Xi also expressed hope for the imminent conclusion of a free trade agreement between China and ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn told Chinese media that the agreement will help cancel the effect of multiple duties: “In many cases, we will reduce duties to zero and subsequently extend this to all areas.”

On April 17, Xi Jinping visited Cambodia. The visit was the final leg of the trip, during which Xi held talks with King Norodom Sihamoni and the country’s political leadership. “Cambodia is a priority for China’s good-neighbor diplomacy. China will unswervingly support Cambodia in its pursuit of strategic autonomy and the search for a development path suited to its national conditions,” the Chinese President said.