China's Xi courts South-East Asia as Trump tariffs bite; Vietnam first on agenda starting on Monday (April 14)

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, unseen, at Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, China, Friday, April 11, 2025. -- Andres Martinez Casares/Pool Photo via AP

HANOI, Beijing (AFP): Chinese President Xi Jinping will kick off a five-day, three-nation South-East Asia tour on Monday as Beijing seeks to tighten regional trade ties and offset the impact of huge tariffs unleashed by his US counterpart Donald Trump.

Xi will visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia in his first overseas trip of the year, China's foreign ministry said.