PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has invited US President Donald Trump to attend the East Asia summit organised by Asean, which will be held at the end of the year, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said the official invitation was extended to Trump during a meeting with US ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard D Kagan, in Putrajaya this evening.
The East Asia summit is an annual event held by Asean. Malaysia chairs the regional grouping this year.
“During my meeting (with Kagan), we discussed the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the US which had been established long ago. We also focussed on economic and technological cooperation, which are of mutual interest, as well as halal certification.
“We also touched on (Malaysia’s) Asean chairmanship, particularly in relation to the Asean-US special summit,” Anwar said in a Facebook post.
The US is Malaysia’s largest source of foreign investment and a vital player in Asia-Pacific geopolitics.
Anwar previously expressed hope that Trump’s administration would reinvigorate the US’s engagement with Southeast Asia when Malaysia assumes the Asean chairmanship this year.
However, there have been concerns over how Trump’s policies would affect Malaysia’s economy, particularly in view of the threat of tariff hikes.
Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan had said Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on automotive, semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports could deal a heavy blow to Malaysia, with 60% of Malaysia’s trade with the US comprising electrical and electronic exports.
