Malaysia warns ASEAN neutrality eroding as global powers compete

Malaysian foreign minister warned his counterparts from Southeast Asia that the space for neutrality is shrinking in a region increasingly shaped by big power rivalry, as they mark U.S. President Donald Trump’s first trip to Asia since returning to the White House.

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The meeting on Saturday serves as a curtain-raiser for the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, which starts on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, followed by two days of high-level engagements with key partners including China, Japan, India, Australia, Russia, South Korea and the U.S.

Leaders are expected to focus on regional security, economic resilience, and maritime disputes — with U.S. tariffs and shifting global trade patterns looming large over discussions.