Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Kuala Lumpur for a two-day summit, aiming to strengthen ties with China and the Gulf states while navigating increasing pressure from U.S. tariffs. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) brought together its ten member states, seeking to protect their economies as President Trump’s latest tariff hikes have escalated tensions. China sent Premier Li Qiang to lead its delegation, signaling Beijing’s active involvement in the region. Gulf Cooperation Council members including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates are also attending. Notably, U.S. and Western allies were absent from the gathering.