00:00Exchanges have been useful. I mean, the right with him in the car allowed me to raise some very, very pertinent questions close to our heart on multilateralism or the need to maintain centrality of ASEAN, particularly Malaysia, to engage with the West and the East, to go strong, formidable relations in terms of investment and trade with the United States of America.
00:28At the same time, forge a very strong new alliance with China.
00:33Finally, during the bilateral meeting between Malaysia and President Donald Trump, it went very well.
00:41We had, I think, Guzafro mentioned this today, that we managed to resolve most of the issues.
00:50We told him that, you know, very difficult for an independent country like Malaysia, with, of course, much weaker opposition, one third in parliament, but still very vociferous, very strong in their views, to be seen, to be submitting, compliant to other powers.
01:11So, I have assured him that our fundamental focus across trade and investments.
01:19ASEAN, as a cohesive, formidable group, did impress him.
01:25The things that we do share in common, there was consensus built on the need to maintain our centrality, to continue to engage with the United States and China and the rest.
01:38Malaysia is a trading nation.
01:41Yes, we have differences, but we cannot be compelled or dictated to insist to follow any particular interest except to represent our interest and to focus on economic fundamentals, which means business and investments.
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