Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Arrives in Malaysia for East Asia Summit Amid Heightened Security
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has arrived in Malaysia, joining other world leaders for the East Asia Summit. The event is marked by tight security measures, with thousands of police officers deployed in Kuala Lumpur and a lockdown in the central city, allowing only official vehicles to travel. As Luxon's motorcade passed through, it encountered one of the numerous pro-Palestine protests taking place in the city.
The presence of US President Donald Trump at the summit is particularly notable. Trump is attending the ASEAN meeting to witness the signing of a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia, following deadly cross-border military skirmishes earlier this year. Trump hailed the occasion as a significant milestone for Southeast Asia, describing it as 'a momentous day' and a 'monumental step.' Leaders in the region hope that Trump's attendance and the peace ceremony will solidify and strengthen the ceasefire agreement signed in July.
However, Trump's tariffs on global trade have cast a shadow over the regional summits. At the APEC Summit in Korea later this week, Trump is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss their ongoing trade war. Meanwhile, Trump continues to impose tariffs on countries he deems uncooperative, as evidenced by his recent decision to lift tariffs on Canada by an additional 10% after an anti-tariff advertisement sparked his anger.
Luxon's primary objective at these summits is to strengthen New Zealand's ties with the region and unlock new trade opportunities. He aims to achieve this by signing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN nations this week, upgrading from the current Strategic Partnership. This agreement has the potential to foster closer cooperation, enhance trade, boost development aid, and provide more academic scholarships.
During the East Asia Summit, Luxon secured bilateral meetings with the leaders of Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Timor Leste, with more meetings still to be confirmed. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), established in 1967, aims to strengthen cooperation among member states while promoting the region's interests in trade and diplomacy.
