Xi Jinping begins Southeast Asia tour to bolster trade and regional diplomacy

Xi seeks to deepen China's regional influence amid U.S. tariffs from Donald Trump.

China's President Xi Jinping attends a meeting with foreign business leaders at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 28, 2025. Photo by Adek Berry/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia tour began on Monday as he landed in Vietnam to kick off a five-day diplomatic mission aimed at reinforcing regional trade partnerships and easing economic tension caused by aggressive U.S. tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump. The tour, covering Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, marks Xi’s first overseas trip of 2025 and signals China’s strategic push to solidify its influence across the ASEAN region.

According to China's foreign ministry, this tour is “of major importance” not only for Beijing but also for Southeast Asia, as China positions itself as a reliable economic ally during an era of uncertainty prompted by the Trump administration’s tariff policy. Xi will meet with leaders of all three nations during his journey, which is seen as part of Beijing's wider campaign to present itself as a stable partner amid growing geopolitical friction.

Countering U.S. tariffs with regional cooperation

The backdrop to Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia tour is the recent economic shock triggered by President Trump’s announcement of steep import tariffs on Chinese goods. Though Trump later softened some of these measures with short-term exemptions, the initial tariff hike — including a blanket 145 percent duty on all Chinese imports — rattled global markets and prompted urgent diplomatic recalibration from affected countries.

“Trump’s tariffs inflict serious harm on developing countries,” said Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a recent conversation with World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. With these developments looming over Asia’s trade corridors, Beijing is seizing the opportunity to expand its economic diplomacy and reassure its neighbors.

Vietnam visit underscores complex balancing act

Xi’s first stop is Vietnam, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks from Monday through Tuesday. This marks his first visit to the country since December 2023. Vietnam plays a nuanced role in regional geopolitics, employing what analysts describe as a “bamboo diplomacy” strategy — flexible, resilient, and aimed at maintaining balanced ties with both China and the United States.

Though Hanoi shares Washington's concerns over China's growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea, it also remains economically intertwined with Beijing. In 2024, Vietnam was the largest buyer of Chinese goods within ASEAN, importing $161.9 billion worth of products. The visit is expected to focus on deepening trade relations while addressing maritime security tensions through careful diplomacy.

Strategic visit to Malaysia next on the agenda

After wrapping up talks in Vietnam, Xi will continue his Southeast Asian mission with a three-day visit to Malaysia, starting Tuesday. Malaysia was China’s second-largest ASEAN trade partner last year, purchasing over $101 billion in Chinese goods.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil described the upcoming visit as part of Putrajaya's ongoing strategy to improve economic relations with global partners, particularly China. “The government seeks better trade relations with various countries, including China,” he told local media ahead of Xi’s arrival.

The visit is also expected to bring fresh investment pledges, particularly in technology and infrastructure, two sectors where Malaysia is eager to attract more capital and expertise.

Final leg in Cambodia, Beijing’s closest ally in the region

Xi’s final stop will be in Cambodia from Thursday onward, where he is expected to receive a warm welcome from one of China’s most loyal Southeast Asian allies. Prime Minister Hun Manet recently emphasized the strength of Cambodia-China ties, citing extensive Chinese support for Cambodian infrastructure projects, including a newly completed highway funded by Beijing.

“The Cambodian-Chinese ties have not changed... and we will continue to make it robust,” Hun Manet said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the road. He referred to China as “a key partner” in Cambodia’s national development and said that Xi’s visit would reinforce their close relationship.

Cambodia has consistently supported China’s regional positions, including on contentious issues like the South China Sea. The country has often echoed Beijing’s messaging at ASEAN meetings, further underlining its strategic significance to China's regional ambitions.

For Beijing, the Xi Jinping Southeast Asia tour serves multiple goals. First and foremost, it offers a platform to secure economic partnerships that could cushion the blow from a potential long-term trade conflict with the United States. Second, it positions China as a dependable and consistent economic partner at a time when Washington’s policies appear increasingly unpredictable.

“The tariffs, if really implemented beyond China, will leave economies no choice but drifting away further from the US,” said Huong Le Thu, deputy director of the International Crisis Group's Asia Program. She noted that many Southeast Asian countries are now re-evaluating their dependencies on Western markets.

Indeed, data from China’s customs authority show that ASEAN is now the top recipient of Chinese exports. In 2024 alone, ASEAN countries imported $586.5 billion worth of Chinese goods, highlighting the deep economic interconnection between the two regions.

Positioning China as a stabilizing power in Asia

Through this diplomatic tour, Beijing hopes to contrast itself with what it frames as a "coercive and self-interested" United States. Analysts suggest that this narrative could resonate in the current climate, especially with countries that feel squeezed between competing superpowers.

“China has been a dominant and resident power centre in the region, and there will only be stronger pull,” Le Thu said, describing the broader regional recalibration underway.

Xi Jinping’s engagements over the next several days will likely include the signing of new bilateral trade deals, further investments in infrastructure, and agreements aimed at deepening intergovernmental collaboration. These initiatives are crafted to show China's willingness to lead not through pressure, but through partnership and shared prosperity.

While the outcome of this five-day tour will unfold over time, its significance is already clear. The Xi Jinping Southeast Asia tour is a carefully orchestrated move to reinforce China’s place at the heart of Asia’s economic future. Amid global trade uncertainty, rising U.S. tariffs, and geopolitical jostling, Beijing is doubling down on a diplomacy-first approach in its backyard — one that speaks not just to its regional ambitions, but also to its strategic recalibration in a rapidly shifting global order.

As Xi continues his travels through Southeast Asia, all eyes will be on how regional leaders respond — and whether Beijing’s charm offensive succeeds in offsetting the growing pressure from Washington’s trade war tactics.