The ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur is underway, and a key speech from Chinese Premier Li Qiang is making waves. As leaders from ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea gathered, Li’s message was clear: the region must unite against “high tariffs and global trade disruptions.”
This speech is being widely seen as a veiled criticism of United States (USA) trade policies, positioning China as the leader of regional cooperation.
Li Qiang’s “Winning Formula”: Openness and Cooperation
Premier Li did not mince words. He called for greater “openness and cooperation” to protect and grow the regional economy.
He reminded the leaders that this shared spirit of openness is the “defining advantage and winning formula” that made East Asia so successful. In simple terms, Li is arguing that open trade and working together is the only way to succeed, pushing back against the trend of protectionism and high tariffs.
Is This a Veiled Shot at the USA?
While Li Qiang didn’t name the USA, his target seemed clear. His strong warning against “high tariffs” directly points to the ongoing economic friction between Beijing and Washington.
The US has used tariffs extensively in recent years, a policy that China blames for disrupting global trade. By urging Asian nations to “preserve their shared spirit,” Li is drawing a line in the sand. He is presenting two different paths for Asia:
- China’s Path: Regional cooperation and open trade.
- The (Implied) US Path: High tariffs and trade disruptions.
This move is seen by many as an attempt to strengthen China’s leadership, under President Xi Jinping‘s broader strategy, and build a regional bloc that is less dependent on the West.
More Than Just Trade: South China Sea and Myanmar on the Table
The ASEAN summit isn’t just about economics. The leaders are also tackling other urgent regional crises, including:
- The South China Sea: Addressing the ongoing and complex territorial disputes.
- Myanmar’s Civil War: Discussing the escalating violence and its impact on regional stability.
- Cross-Border Scams: Finding ways to cooperate against a rising tide of powerful online scam networks.
Premier Li’s speech, however, has set the dominant tone. As global trade tensions rise, China is making a strong push to unite its neighbors around its own vision for Asia’s future—one that pointedly excludes US-style tariffs.
