Mahathir urges ASEAN to trade with China and India to replace US
Speaking in an interview with Nikkei Asia on the sidelines of the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo last week, Mahathir said that Malaysia "should have a bigger trade with China and India to replace the loss of trade against America."
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Asahi Shimbun
5 hours ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Thai and Cambodian leaders to meet in Malaysia for talks to end deadly border dispute
A Cambodian military vehicle carries rocket launcher in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, on July 26 as border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered its third day, heightening fears of an extended conflict. (AP Photo) BANGKOK--Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia for talks to end hostilities, a spokesperson for the Thai prime minister's office said Sunday. This comes following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end a deadly border dispute, now in its fourth day, which has killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 218,000. Jirayu Huangsap said Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend Monday's talks in response to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim 'to discuss peace efforts in the region.' Anwar has been acting in his capacity as this year's chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet late Sunday night on several social media platforms confirmed his participation as well. 'I will lead (the) Cambodian delegation to attend a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by Malaysia, co-organized by the United States and with participation of China,' he said. China is a close ally of Cambodia, and had early in the fighting urged the two nations to resolve their differences peacefully, but Hun Manet's statement appeared to be the first mentioning a Chinese link to Monday's planned talks. Trump posted on the Truth Social social network Saturday that he spoke to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and suggested he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country if the hostilities continued. He later said both sides agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said earlier Sunday his country agreed to pursue an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire.' He said Trump told him that Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks following the U.S. president's conversation with Phumtham. Phumtham thanked Trump and qualified Thailand's position, saying it agreed in principle to a ceasefire but stressed the need for 'sincere intention' from Cambodia, the Thai Foreign Ministry said. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Sunday said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with the foreign ministers of both Thailand and Cambodia urging them 'to de-escalate tensions immediately and agree to a ceasefire.' Her statement added that the U.S. 'is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability' between the two countries. The fighting flared Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia, with an exception for migrant Cambodian workers returning home. Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting continued Sunday along parts of the contested border, with both sides refusing to budge and trading blame over renewed shelling and troop movements. Col. Richa Suksowanont, a Thai army deputy spokesperson, said Cambodian forces fired heavy artillery into Surin province, including at civilian homes, early Sunday. He said Cambodia also launched rocket attacks targeting the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, claimed by both countries, and other areas in a bid to reclaim territory secured by Thai troops. Thai forces responded with long-range artillery to strike Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers. Battlefield operations will continue and a ceasefire can only happen if Cambodia formally initiates negotiations, he added. 'Cambodian attacks remain irregular and may constitute violations of rules of engagement, posing further risk to border communities,' said the Thai military's daily summary of the fighting issued Sunday night. 'The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations,' it said. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of escalating the violence with bombardment of Cambodian territory early Sunday, followed by a 'large-scale incursion' involving tanks and ground troops in multiple areas. 'Such actions undermine all efforts toward peaceful resolution and expose Thailand's clear intent to escalate rather than de-escalate the conflict,' she said. Thailand on Sunday reported a new death of a soldier, bringing its total number of fatalities to 22, mostly civilians. Cambodia said 13 people have been killed, though it was unclear if that included Lt. Gen. Duong Samnieng, whose death in combat was announced Sunday. More than 139,000 people in Thailand have evacuated to safe locations and over 79,000 people fled from three Cambodian provinces. Many border villages are mostly deserted, with many schools and hospitals shut. Pichayut Surasit, an air-conditioning technician in Thailand, said the sudden outbreak of fighting meant leaving his work in Bangkok to return home to protect his family. 'I didn't have the heart to continue with my work when I heard the news. I wanted to come back as soon as possible, but I had to wait until the evening,' he said. Now at a shelter in Surin housing some 6,000 evacuees, Pichayut worries for his wife and twin daughters, hoping the conflict will end soon so they can return to their home in Kap Choeng district, one of the hardest-hit by shelling. Bualee Chanduang, a local vendor who moved to the same shelter Thursday with her family and pet rabbit, is counting on swift negotiations to end the violence. 'I pray for God to help so that both sides can agree to talk and end this war,' she said. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said he was praying for all those affected by war in the world, including 'for those affected by the clashes on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, especially the children and displaced families.' The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics.
Nikkei Asia
21 hours ago
- Nikkei Asia
Cambodian, Thai leaders to discuss conflict in Malaysia, foreign minister says
Cambodians displaced by the cross-border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia wait in line to receive rice, fish, and soy sauce at Wat Por 5000 pagoda camp in Kulen district, Preah Vihear province. Thousands of people have been in the camp since July 25. (Photo by Phoung Vantha) ANANTH BALIGA, YUICHI NITTA and APORNRATH PHOONPHONGHIPHAT PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK -- The Thai and Cambodian leaders will go to Malaysia on Monday evening to discuss the four-day border conflict that has left at least 34 people dead and displaced more than 210,000, according to Malaysian and Thai sources. Bernama, the Malaysian state news agency, cited the country's foreign minister, Mohamad Hasan, as saying Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will discuss the cross-border fighting that is centered around the disputed ownership of a temple and other territory.
Nikkei Asia
a day ago
- Nikkei Asia
US tariff deadline, BOJ monetary policy, Nintendo earnings
Welcome to Your Week in Asia. With several countries in Asia having now secured tariff deals with the U.S. -- even as details remain scarce or disputed for many of them -- the pressure is on those that haven't, with U.S. President Donald Trump's latest deadline for negotiations now just days away. The trade dislocations unleashed by Trump will be among the factors weighing on central bankers from the U.S., Singapore and Japan this week as they decide how to act on interest rates. Get the best of our coverage of Asia and much more by following us on X, where our handle is @NikkeiAsia. We are also now on Bluesky, with the handle @ MONDAY Marcos national address Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address, an annual event typically used to underscore the government's accomplishments and outline policy. Last year, Marcos Jr. notably condemned China's maritime aggression and ordered a ban on offshore gambling. This year, his address takes place against a backdrop of heightened domestic political turbulence and pressing economic concerns. U.S.-China talks The U.S. and China begin their third round of talks in Stockholm amid a possible extension of their trade truce beyond the Aug.12 deadline. Washington plans to raise issues including China's industrial overcapacity, economic imbalances and continued oil purchases from Iran and Russia. China, on the other hand, says it will seek to "enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation" with the U.S. Earnings: Singapore Airlines TUESDAY IPO: Oxford Innotech Earnings: ANA WEDNESDAY Fed rate decision The U.S. Federal Reserve will conclude its two-day meeting and reach its latest monetary policy decision. Markets do not expect a rate cut in the meeting, but all eyes are on Chair Jerome Powell's news conference. Market watchers will be seeking clues on the next rate cut, as well as any response to Trump's strong criticisms of the Fed chair. Singapore monetary policy statement Singapore's central bank will announce its monetary policy statement, with some economists expecting further easing, given a forecast economic slowdown in the second half of the year driven by ongoing U.S. tariff uncertainties. The city-state predicts its economy will grow between zero and 2% this year. Nissan earnings Nissan Motor will release its April-to-June results. The company is expected to update investors about progress in its business restructuring and how much its bottom line has been affected by the 25% automotive tariffs set by the U.S. Earnings: JAL, Kansai Electric Data: Philippines trade, Sri Lanka inflation THURSDAY BOJ monetary policy The Bank of Japan wraps up its two-day policy meeting. While market participants expect the central bank to hold interest rates steady, the focus will be on what Gov. Kazuo Ueda says in the wake of the upper house election and the Japan-U.S. trade deal. The BOJ will also release its latest inflation and economic outlook. Earnings: Apple, Sumitomo, Grab, Keppel, Siam Cement, SK Innovation, JERA FRIDAY U.S. tariff deadline After a monthslong pause, Trump is set to impose varying tariff rates on dozens of countries, although some have made arrangements with Washington to lower the U.S. duty rate, although details have yet to be revealed. Governments that have not reached a deal with the U.S. will be slapped with a steep, country-specific tariff rate, which will likely increase costs for U.S. households. Nintendo earnings Nintendo releases its April-to-June earnings following the release of its Switch 2 game console in June. Investors are eager to hear an update on Switch 2 sales, as well as how it is contributing to the company's finances. Other earnings: Nippon Steel, Marubeni, Itochu, OCBC, Mitsui & Co, Tata Power
