Trump to Make ASEAN Summit Appearance in October, Says Anwar
PETALING JAYA, July 31 — United States President Donald Trump has confirmed he will attend the 2025 ASEAN Summit in October, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today.
Speaking during the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said Trump gave the confirmation during a phone call earlier this morning.
The announcement follows earlier indications by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had hinted at Trump’s possible participation during bilateral discussions this month, reported FMT.
In the same address, Anwar also confirmed that the new US tariff rate on Malaysian exports will be revealed tomorrow, August 1.
“God willing, it will not be a burden on our economy,” he told Parliament, expressing cautious optimism about the economic impact.
Earlier this month, the United States imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Malaysian goods, to take effect on August 1 — a figure higher than the initial 24 per cent rate applied to specific exports and previously subject to a 90-day moratorium, which ends today.
Trump had described the 25 per cent rate as “far less” than what he considered necessary to address the US trade deficit with Malaysia.
Anwar said the tariff issue had been the subject of intensive negotiations between the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and senior US officials, including the US Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce.
The developments mark a critical juncture in US-Malaysia trade relations, with the pending tariff announcement and Trump’s confirmed ASEAN summit visit set to shape diplomatic and economic ties in the coming months.
