Global powers gather in Manila as ASEAN summit begins

The ASEAN summit opened in Manila on Sunday, bringing Southeast Asian leaders together to address regional flashpoints, the Middle East crisis, and an ongoing energy crisis. According to the Daily Times, discussions will also focus on trade and security. Punch reports that leaders are also grappling with the US trade war ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump.

President Trump is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, near the conclusion of the summit, for meetings with the leaders of Quad countries India, Japan, and Australia. Free Malaysia Today reports that nearly 20,000 police officers have been deployed across Metro Manila, and progressive groups expect thousands to participate in an anti-Trump march at the summit site on Tuesday.

On the sidelines of the 11-member summit, Brazil's newly re-elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke about the impact of US tariffs, stating that Brazil is looking for other partners to trade with. He noted that trade with Indonesia and Vietnam has increased by 15% and 13% respectively. New Straits Times reports that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also addressed the summit, touting a new Philippine free-trade deal and noting that ASEAN trade talks have been substantially concluded.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Times, Punch, Punch Nigeria, Free Malaysia Today, New Straits Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.