While President Donald Trump is busy dishing out the levy, China is reaching out to South East Asia countries, promising to protect them against the tyranny of the Trump Administration.

One of the countries Xi would be reaching out to is Malaysia, as the Malaysian government recently announced it would be hosting Chinese President Xi for a three day visit next week, as the leaders of the two countries sit down to navigate the current economic turbulence caused by U.S tariffs.

The visit will be scheduled from April 15 to 17, as confirmed by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. But the conversation of the meeting will primarily be centred around the U.S tariffs, but this visit also fits into the Malaysian government's broader strategy to strengthen trade relations with key international partners, especially China.

“This visit is a significant part of Malaysia’s effort to bolster ties with various nations, with China being a central focus,” Mr. Fahmi said. “The Cabinet has been briefed on the importance of this trip, and it’s anticipated to enhance our economic cooperation.”

This will be Xi Jinping’s first visit to Malaysia since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim assumed office. The two leaders previously met in November 2024 in Beijing to discuss various issues of mutual concern, with this upcoming visit seen as an important continuation of their diplomatic exchanges.

Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Global Trade

The backdrop to this visit is the ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which have rattled global markets, have significantly affected China, one of the world’s largest economies.

Tariffs imposed on Chinese products have reached an eye-watering 104 percent, making China the hardest-hit nation.

In contrast, Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy, has faced a lower tariff rate of 24 percent, though other ASEAN countries have been subjected to even harsher levies.

The tariffs have created a shockwave through the world economic landscape and caused a strain on global supply chains, with Southeast Asia caught in the crossfire of U.S.-China trade disputes.

Despite facing retaliatory tariffs from China, Southeast Asian governments, including Malaysia, have largely chosen a path of dialogue and diplomacy rather than further escalation.

Malaysia, as the rotating chair of the ASEAN regional bloc for 2025, will be hosting a special meeting of ASEAN economic ministers on April 10 to discuss how best to respond to Trump’s tariffs and minimize economic disruption.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, speaking on April 8, urged Southeast Asian countries to unite in response to the economic challenges posed by the U.S. tariffs. “It is crucial that we stand firm together,” he said.

Xi Jinping’s Message of Solidarity

Political analysts view Xi’s visit as a sign of China’s intent to demonstrate solidarity with Southeast Asia, particularly as these nations grapple with economic difficulties.

Oh Ei Sun, a political analyst at the Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia, compared the visit to “a group of friends huddling together for warmth against harsh weather.”

Mr.Oh predicts that Xi's main message will be one of China standing in solidarity with the Southeast Asia countries amidst these socio-economic challenges, while how remains to be seen.

With China’s strong presence in the region and its growing influence in global markets, the visit is seen as a step toward fostering stronger bilateral ties and improving economic opportunities for Malaysia and its ASEAN neighbors.