CNA938 Rewind - Illegal delivery persons could be at your doorstep
Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss the following stories with East Asian expert Dr Lim Tai Wei, Professor with Soka University in Japan: -Indonesian rescuers still on a search and rescue mission after a ferry sank in Indonesia last week;Malaysia confirming the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals in a security operation targeting alleged involvement in the Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group; A Chinese national who went missing in Thailand after accepting a photoshoot job has been rescued, according to China's embassy in Bangkok, which cautioned Chinese citizens against simply accepting job offers.
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CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Rubio to make first Asia trip as Trump unveils tariffs on host and allies
WASHINGTON: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Malaysia this week for meetings with Southeast Asian nations in his first trip to Asia as America's top diplomat, the State Department said on Monday (Jul 7), even as President Donald Trump announced hefty tariffs on the hosts and other regional partners and allies. The State Department billed the Jul 8 to 12 trip as a move to reaffirm Washington's commitment to the Indo-Pacific. Hours later, Trump said he would impose 25 per cent tariffs from Aug 1 on imports from Japan and South Korea, the key US regional allies and vital partners in countering China's growing might. Trump also announced plans for tariffs on Malaysia and five other countries in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), whose ministers Rubio will join for meetings in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia faces a 25 per cent tariff, Laos and Myanmar 40 per cent, Cambodia and US ally Thailand 36 per cent, and Indonesia 32 per cent. Rubio will seek to firm up US relationships with partners and allies unnerved by Trump's global tariff strategy. Trump's announcements seemed certain to make that task harder. The trip has been seen as part of a renewed US focus on the Indo-Pacific and an effort to look beyond conflicts in the Middle East and Europe that have consumed much of the Trump administration's attention. "Top topics that he's going to want to hit, obviously, are to reaffirm our commitment to East Asia, to ASEAN, to the Indo-Pacific, and not just ... for its own sake," a senior State Department official told reporters. "I think a key message that the secretary likes to deliver is that we're committed, and we prioritise it because it is in America's interests, right? It promotes American prosperity and it promotes American security." The official said Rubio would be prepared to discuss trade, including reiterating that the need to rebalance US trade relationships is significant and echoing messages from the White House and the US Trade Representative. ASEAN countries have been nervous about Trump's tariffs and questioned the willingness of his "America First" administration to fully engage diplomatically and economically with the region. "There is a hunger to be reassured that the US actually views the Indo-Pacific as the primary theatre of US interests, key to US national security," said Greg Poling, director of the Southeast Asia Program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. On Sunday, Trump said the US was close to finalising several trade pacts and would notify other countries by Jul 9 of higher tariff rates. He also sent a message to BRICS group of developing nations as its leaders met in Brazil, threatening an additional 10 per cent tariff on any that align themselves with "anti-American" policies. The BRICS countries include Indonesia, as well as China and India. Last week, Trump announced he had reached a trade agreement with important Southeast Asian partner and ASEAN member Vietnam and could reach one with India. But he cast doubt on a possible deal with Japan, which is not only Washington's main Asian ally, but a major investor in the US. Rubio has yet to visit Japan or South Korea, the other main US ally in Northeast Asia, since taking office in January, even though Washington sees the Indo-Pacific as its main strategic priority given the perceived threat from China. South Korea's presidential security adviser Wi Sung-lac headed to Washington on Sunday for trade and defence talks, with Seoul seeking to head off US tariffs.
CNA
17 hours ago
- CNA
Rubio to attend ASEAN meeting in first Asia trip
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make his first trip to Asia since taking up his post, travelling this week to Malaysia for meetings with ASEAN allies, his office said on Monday (Jul 7). The trip, starting Tuesday, will see Rubio, who is also US national security advisor, focus on US policy in Asia after months of the Trump administration concentrating on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "In his first trip to Asia as Secretary of State, Secretary Rubio is focused on reaffirming the United States' commitment to advancing a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region," spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement, using Washington's traditional wording alluding to the growing influence of China in the Asia-Pacific region. As with any trip to Asia by a US official, China will be the elephant in the room amid concerns over its expansionary behaviour in the South China Sea, which the United States deems to be provocative. The visit also comes as many countries around the world are waiting for the next step in President Donald Trump's tariff wars. Sweeping levies announced in April were mostly suspended, as Washington engages in negotiations with friends and foes alike. A deadline on the tariffs is due to expire on Wednesday, with Trump suggesting elevated levies would snap back into place on Aug 1 for any trading partners who do not make a deal.
CNA
17 hours ago
- CNA
ASEAN foreign ministers to discuss regional and global challenges amid trade concerns
ASEAN foreign ministers are gathering in Kuala Lumpur this week against the backdrop of the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Trade concerns stemming from US President Donald Trump's tariff campaign are also weighing on their minds. Observers say the bloc is facing growing pressure to prove its relevance, amid global uncertainty and a range of regional challenges. CNA's Afifah Ariffin reports.
