‘No conditions at all’ for Trump’s visit to Malaysia for Asean summit: Zafrul

KL minister not aware of Trump reportedly wanting a Thai-Cambodia peace deal event

- Zurairi A.R. Assistant Foreign Editor

US President Donald Trump has not set conditions for his attendance at the upcoming Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur later in October, said Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

“From our understanding, there are no conditions. No conditions at all,” Mr Zafrul said in an interview with The Straits Times on Oct 8.

US-based political news site Politico reported on Oct 6 that Mr Trump had requested a ceremonial signing of a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia during the meeting, a condition that would have put Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a bind.

“No, we are not aware (of this),” said Mr Zafrul.

The minister said the matter was not brought up during his video call with one of the deputy US trade representatives (USTRs) on Oct 7. Mr Bryan Switzer is the deputy USTR in charge of Asia.

“We are on track, and (the deputy USTR) is coming next week. The whole USTR negotiating team is coming to Malaysia on Oct 13,” Mr Zafrul said on the sidelines of the Asia Future Summit 2025 (AFS) in Singapore on Oct 8 and 9.

The AFS is a premier thought leadership conference jointly held by SPH Media flagship titles The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and The Business Times, with OCBC as the presenting sponsor.

Mr Zafrul’s response ~ a reflection of how his role as Malaysia’s chief negotiator for trade and investment has now been inextricably overlaid by fragmenting geopolitics - comes as Malaysia seeks to navigate complex trade negotiations with the Trump administration, which has imposed a 19 per cent tariff on goods from Malaysia, which is among other countries facing reciprocal duties.

He expressed confidence that Malaysia and the US will be able to sign a reciprocal trade agreement that would suit both nations’ domestic priorities during Mr Trump’s controversial visit during the 47th Asean Summit from Oct 26 to 28.