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US president Donald Trump has, for the first time, confirmed that he will be visiting Malaysia later this month
Speaking on Sunday, 20 October, Trump announced that he will soon travel to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, adding that he also wants "to be good to China", reported Japanese news agency Kyodo News.
Despite ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, exacerbated by China's near monopoly on rare earths and new export trade controls, Trump struck an optimistic tone ahead of a possible meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea next week.
"We're going to have a fair deal. I want to be good to China. I love my relationship with President Xi."
"We thought that would be a good place to meet, and we're going to be meeting. I'll be in Malaysia, I'll be in Japan," Trump said at the White House.
Before this, news of Trump's planned visit to Malaysia had only been shared through his officials or mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a phone call with the US president
Last week, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the Kuala Lumpur city centre will be under total lockdown to accommodate the arrival of Trump and other world leaders for the 47th ASEAN Summit.
Xi is expeted to attend, although his participation has yet to be confirmed.
Malaysia, which chairs the summit this year, will host the three-day event beginning on 26 October. Police will be on high alert from 23 October onwards, deploying 16,000 officers to assist with traffic and security operations.
Japanese government sources said that Trump is expected to make a three-day visit to Japan from 27 October after his stop in Malaysia.
He will then travel to South Korea, reported Kyodo News.
The upcoming Asia trip will mark Trump's first visit to the region since the start of his nonconsecutive second term in January.
