Published 24 Oct 2025

Authors: Joanne Lin|William Choong

President Trump will make a spectacle of his presence in Kuala Lumpur, but is unlikely to offer ASEAN the reliable, long-term engagement it seeks.

When US President Donald Trump lands in Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit on Sunday (26 October), it will mark his first appearance at an ASEAN meeting since 2017. This will present a significant opportunity for the US to regain some diplomatic currency in the region. While expectations for concrete deliverables remain modest, Trump’s visit is likely to serve more as a political stage that allows him to score points at home and reinforce his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) message, rather than as a forum for substantive policy breakthroughs.

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