Kuala Lumpur. Chinese Premier Li Qiang criticized "disproportionate tariffs" affecting Asian countries during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. This statement came ahead of the expected Thursday meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, who is on a visit to Tokyo, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.
"External interference in this region has increased, and many countries face greater challenges due to disproportionate tariffs and external taxes," Li Qiang said at the start of a meeting between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held within the framework of the bloc's summit and its allies in Kuala Lumpur since Sunday.
"Unilateralism and protectionism are seriously affecting the international economic and trade order," added the Chinese premier, the main trading partner of Southeast Asia, a territory of geopolitical rivalry between Beijing and Washington.
In this context, Trump announced on Sunday during his participation in the Kuala Lumpur summit several trade agreements with ASEAN countries. The U.S. leader informed about a pact with Thailand to "strengthen cooperation" in the development and expansion of critical mineral supply chains, and an agreement with Cambodia that sets U.S. tariffs for the country at 19%.
In parallel to the ASEAN summit and its allies, delegations from the U.S. and China negotiated on Saturday and Sunday at the Merdeka 188 tower in Kuala Lumpur. Following the talks, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that "very solid foundations" had been built that he hopes will guarantee a "successful meeting" between Trump and Xi in South Korea.