This week's ASEAN Summit in Malaysia has brought an enhanced ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and the induction of Timor-Leste as a new member state. But much attention has shifted to US-China trade talks taking place on the sidelines, ahead of an expected meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the week.
00:00Host Malaysia rolls out the red carpet for dignitaries from around the world for a second time this year.
00:09This is the second of 2025 summits bringing together the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.
00:17But the list of guests goes well beyond the bloc.
00:20Non-members from the U.S. and China to Brazil and South Africa have sent their own VIPs too.
00:25There's been progress since the bloc's last meeting in May.
00:33Just back in July, Cambodia and Thailand were firing at each other across their contested border, killing at least 48 people.
00:40But now they've signed an enhanced ceasefire deal, along with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose intervention helped stop the fighting.
00:47It's already having an impact, with Cambodia withdrawing weapons from the Thai border Sunday.
00:56And the two countries' prime ministers are optimistic.
00:59Ladies and gentlemen, today marks a historic moment profound significance for Cambodia and Thailand.
01:06A day that we affirm our shared conviction that peace is always possible, when nations have the courage and wisdom to pursue it together.
01:15As of Sunday, ASEAN also has a new member.
01:45Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia's poorest and youngest country, gained independence in 2002, and accession to ASEAN has taken over a decade.
01:55The country's prime minister says it's a big moment for the country's 1.4 million people.
02:00For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realized, but a powerful affirmation of our journey.
02:11When marked by resilience, determination, and hope.
02:20It's the U.S.-China talks happening on the sidelines, though, that have grabbed the world's attention.
02:25Trump looks to be in high spirits as the two sides hammer out a framework of a trade deal, a possible de-escalation in what's been a punishing trade war.
02:35That's ahead of a meeting Trump's scheduled to have with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea later this week.
02:41The president had given me maximum leverage when he threatened 100% tariffs if the Chinese imposed their rare-earth global export controls.
02:52So I think we have averted that.
02:55We also agreed on substantial agriculture purchases for U.S. farmers.
03:00We agreed that the Chinese would begin to help us with the precursor chemicals for this terrible fentanyl epidemic that's ravaging our country.
03:11Absent in the talks was any mention of Taiwan, one of the sore points in U.S.-China relations.
03:39China claims Taiwan and says it will use force to take it if need be.
03:44Though it's still possible Taiwan could come up in the Trump-Xi meeting,
03:48U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the country won't be a bargaining chip in talks that are really about trade.
03:55The ASEAN summit ends Tuesday, but there's still more to come from Trump's whirlwind week of diplomacy in Asia,
04:01with the region and global markets watching for what may come next.
04:06Ryan Wu and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.
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