Key Developments at the 2025 ASEAN Summit: Trump's Visit, China Trade Deal, and Regional Challenges

President Trump arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, his presence dominating the standard ASEAN agenda.

Malaysia:

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) wrapped up its biannual summit on Tuesday, which featured attendance from various foreign leaders, including US President Donald Trump. The meeting focused primarily on trade relations and regional tensions.

Here are five key insights from the Kuala Lumpur gathering.

The Trump Effect

President Trump's arrival in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday overshadowed the typical ASEAN proceedings. His characteristic "fist-pump" greeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim captured attention, as did his subsequent activities announcing multiple trade agreements and conducting meetings with regional leaders and officials.

During his first Asian visit since returning to office in January, Trump secured commitments for enhanced cooperation on rare earth elements from four Southeast Asian countries, as the United States works to reduce China's dominance in this critical industry.

The American president, who has expressed interest in winning a Nobel Peace Prize, also presided over the signing of a ceasefire agreement that he helped negotiate between neighboring nations Cambodia and Thailand.

Strengthened China Relations

China formalized an "upgraded" free trade agreement with ASEAN, currently its largest trading partner. The trade volume between China and ASEAN member states reached $771 billion in 2024.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who oversaw the agreement's signing, expressed Beijing's desire to collaborate with Southeast Asian governments to "eliminate external interference, jointly resist risks and challenges, and create a bright future for us all".

ASEAN Expansion

After a 14-year campaign, East Timor officially joined the bloc as its 11th member. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao described ASEAN membership as "a powerful affirmation" for his young nation.

Anwar, serving as the bloc's chair, stated that East Timor's accession "completes the ASEAN family -- reaffirming our shared destiny and deep sense of regional kinship".

Myanmar Challenges

Despite continuous calls for resolution, ASEAN remains largely ineffective in halting the civil conflict in Myanmar, one of its member states.

While the bloc has taken the initiative on diplomatic efforts, it struggles to implement the peace framework agreed upon by all ASEAN leaders, including Myanmar's junta, in April 2021.

To strengthen peace initiatives, ASEAN was considering appointing a permanent special envoy to Myanmar, according to a diplomatic source who spoke with AFP on Tuesday.

"It's on the table, but we have not discussed the idea in depth because of a lack of time," the source revealed.

Though Myanmar maintains its ASEAN membership, junta leaders have been excluded from the bloc's meetings since their 2021 coup.

Future Direction

Malaysia transferred the ASEAN chairmanship to the Philippines, which will assume leadership in 2026.

The regional organization is expected to continue addressing familiar issues. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea will likely escalate as four member nations—Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—maintain overlapping claims that challenge China's broad sovereignty assertions.

The Philippines will inherit the challenging task of promoting peace in conflict-torn Myanmar, seeking to build consensus on the bloc's unified response, including decisions regarding potential readmission of junta leaders to ASEAN gatherings.