"The Malays Aren't Gonna Buy Your Stuff" — US Commentator Slams Xi's Tour Amid Tariff War
While O'Reilly didn't specify who he meant by "Malays", it's likely he was referring to Malaysians in general.
Cover image via American political commentator Bill O'Reilly took aim at Chinese President Xi Jinping's tour to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia
The former host of the O'Reilly Factor at Fox News suggested that the Chinese leader is scrambling to find alternative markets amid rising economic pressure from US-imposed tariffs.
In a video posted on his Instagram account earlier this week, O'Reilly questioned Xi's visit to to the region, framing it as a potential move to dodge economic sanctions and re-channel exports.
"Hey, President Xi, let me just break it to you.
"Those folks have no money at all. They cannot help you, they are not gonna buy your stuff because they don't have any money," he said, even hinting at a possible trade evasion tactic.
"Maybe he is going there to try and sneak in Chinese goods under the Vietnamese label," he added.
O'Reilly ended his rant by saying: "If China loses the US market… it's hosed. It's just screwed. Because we have the money, we buy the stuff. The 'Malays' aren't gonna buy your stuff. They don't have any money."
Image via Anwar Ibrahim (Facebook)
While O'Reilly didn't specify who he meant by "Malays", it's likely he was referring to Malaysians in general. Regardless, his comments seem to overlook the reality of Malaysia's economic ties with China.
While not as big as the US, Malaysia is still one of China's largest trading partners, importing more Chinese goods than from any other country.
O'Reilly's remarks seem to dismiss the purchasing power of Southeast Asia, but the economic reality is that countries like Malaysia continue to be key consumers of Chinese products.
His comments came ahead of Xi's three-day state visit to Malaysia, which marked his first trip in over a decade, amid shifting regional dynamics.
The visit included high-level meetings with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, where both sides reaffirmed their strategic partnership. During the visit, 31 memoranda of understanding and agreements were exchanged between the two nations.
Xi departed Malaysia for Cambodia this morning, 17 April.
