KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- United States (US) President Donald Trump's visit to Malaysia for the 47th ASEAN Summit has been viewed as a strong signal of renewed US engagement with the regional bloc, underscoring Washington’s commitment to strengthening both bilateral and multilateral ties in Southeast Asia.
US-ASEAN Business Council president and chief executive officer, Ambassador Brian McFeeters (retired) said the arrival of Air Force One in Kuala Lumpur marked a moment of significance for the region, adding weight to ongoing economic and geopolitical discussions.
He noted that while there had been uncertainty over the president’s participation, his eventual presence reflected the importance the US places on its relationship with Malaysia and ASEAN as a whole.
“People want the US and Malaysia to have strong relations, and the same goes for the US and ASEAN," he said during Bernama TV’s 47th ASEAN Summit Special talk show, titled ‘Trump at ASEAN 2025: Deal or Disruption for Regional Unity?’ today.
“So, maybe President Trump coming here signals that. We’ll have to see, it’s just beginning, so we’ll have to see what the outcomes are of his discussions,” he added.
Trump arrived in Malaysia today to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit, marking the first visit by a US president to the country in a decade and his maiden visit to Malaysia.
On the summit, McFeeters said that one of the major issues being discussed was how ASEAN could strengthen itself internally, particularly through enhancing intra-ASEAN trade, which currently accounts for only about 23 per cent of total trade within the bloc.
He said many believe that figure should be significantly higher, but the progress has been constrained by non-tariff measures, making it difficult to conduct business across borders.
McFeeters also highlighted ASEAN’s crucial role in global supply chains, noting that nearly 45 per cent of semiconductor chips imported by the US come from ASEAN countries.
“ASEAN, and Malaysia in particular, are already vital parts of the global supply chain. During the COVID-19 crisis, some car plants in Detroit had to shut down because of a particular semiconductor component that didn't come from Malaysia,” he said, articulating how interconnected the region is.
McFeeters, who is a former US ambassador to Malaysia, also praised Malaysia’s leadership under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, noting his diplomatic skill, international credibility and extensive global network that have helped elevate Malaysia’s role within ASEAN and beyond.
He said Anwar’s ability to bring together regional leaders, as seen in the recently brokered peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia, demonstrated Malaysia’s growing influence as a trusted mediator and convener in Southeast Asia.
“He has an unparalleled international network... I don't think many leaders would be able to rival that,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
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