Xi Calls on ‘Asian Family’ to Unite Against US Trade Pressure

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for unity among the “Asian family” during a tour of Southeast Asia, trying to deter countries from cutting trade deals with the US at Beijing’s expense. While the trip to Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia was planned before US President Donald Trump began his tariff war, it’s taken on greater significance as Washington prepares to ask countries to take measures, including so-called secondary tariffs, on Chinese goods. With both China and the US digging in their heels, Trump’s threats have forced governments to walk an increasingly fine line between the two powers.

Trump says the US made “big progress” in its trade negotiations with Japanese officials, who were the first to hold face-to-face discussions with him since the tariffs were announced. The talks were widely seen as a test case for how governments should approach negotiations, with expectations that if any country could strike a deal, it might be Japan. Tokyo has a relatively benign relationship with the administration, although Trump has complained about the Japan-US security alliance and slapped a 25% tariff on Japanese steel, aluminum and cars. Preparations are underway for more talks later this month, with hopes to reach a deal within the 90-day grace period.