Xi Jinping to visit Southeast Asia amid trade tensions with the US

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Southeast Asia next week, amid escalating trade tensions between China and the United States. According to China’s Global Times, President Xi will make official visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia from April 14 to 18, with the trip beginning in Vietnam.

After Vietnam, Xi will travel to Malaysia and then Cambodia. His visit comes after US President Donald Trump announced additional tariffs on goods imported from these countries. The US had planned to impose tariffs of 46% on Vietnamese goods, 24% on Malaysian goods, and 49% on Cambodian goods. However, these tariffs have been delayed for 90 days, with a temporary 10% minimum tariff set to apply during this period.

At the same time, the US has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%. In response, China has imposed an 85% tariff on US imports. China has stated that it will not bow to American pressure and is determined to continue the trade conflict.