Xi Jinping Advocates Free Trade on Southeast Asia Tour Amid US Tariff Tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping is using a high-profile tour of Southeast Asia to position China as a pillar of “stability and certainty” in a world unsettled by trade disputes and shifting alliances.

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The diplomatic mission, which includes stops in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, comes as the region grapples with the fallout from sweeping tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump.

Xi’s itinerary began in Hanoi, where he was welcomed with full ceremonial honors by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong. In meetings with Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, Xi emphasized the importance of economic globalization and urged both countries to resist “unilateral bullying acts,” a clear reference to recent US trade measures.

He stressed that China and Vietnam, as major beneficiaries of global trade, should work together to uphold the free trade system and safeguard international supply chains.

During the Vietnam leg, the two nations signed multiple memorandums of understanding, including agreements on supply chain cooperation and a joint railway project. Xi also pledged greater access for Vietnamese agricultural products to the Chinese market, although details of the agreements were not fully disclosed.

The Chinese leader’s next stop was Malaysia, where he met with King Sultan Ibrahim and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Xi hailed the dawn of a “new golden era” in China-Malaysia relations, highlighting the countries’ deepening economic ties and ongoing Belt and Road Initiative projects, including a major $11.2 billion railway.

Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is expected to discuss with Xi further reductions in tariffs between China and ASEAN members, aiming to expand zero-tariff trade across the bloc.

Xi’s visit is widely seen as a strategic move to reassure Southeast Asian partners of China’s reliability as a trading partner, especially as many in the region remain wary of US protectionist policies. Analysts note that the timing of the tour—shortly after the US imposed or threatened new tariffs on several ASEAN economies—offers Beijing an opportunity to contrast its approach with Washington’s, presenting itself as a “responsible” superpower committed to open markets and regional prosperity.

US President Donald Trump has criticized the meetings, accusing China and Vietnam of working together to undermine US interests. The trade conflict has left many Southeast Asian nations caught between the world’s two largest economies, seeking to balance their relationships while protecting their own economic interests.

Despite the diplomatic overtures, underlying tensions remain. China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea continue to be a source of friction with both Vietnam and Malaysia. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that his country will not halt oil and gas exploration in contested waters, underscoring the complexities that persist beneath the surface of growing economic cooperation.

As Xi’s tour concludes with a visit to Cambodia, observers say the trip underscores China’s determination to maintain and expand its influence in Southeast Asia, presenting itself as a stabilizing force at a time of global economic uncertainty.