SINGAPORE – Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, has denied reports that US President Donald Trump set conditions for his attendance at the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this month.

US-based political news site Politico reported on Oct 6 that Mr Trump had requested a ceremonial signing of a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia during the meeting, a condition that would have put Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a bind.

But Datuk Seri Zafrul remains confident that Mr Trump will be present for the Summit, a reflection of how his role as chief negotiator for trade and investment has now been inextricably overlaid by fragmenting geopolitics.

“No, we are not aware… From our understanding, there are no conditions. No conditions at all,” Mr Zafrul said in an interview with The Straits Times on Oct 8.

The minister said the matter was not brought up during his video call with one of the deputy US Trade Representatives (USTR) on Oct 7. Mr Bryan Switzer is the deputy USTR in charge of Asia.

“We are on track, and (the deputy USTR) is coming next week. The whole USTR negotiating team is coming to Malaysia on Oct 13,” Mr Zafrul said on the sidelines of the Asia Future Summit 2025 (AFS) in Singapore on Oct 8 and 9.

The AFS is a premier thought leadership conference jointly held by SPH Media flagship titles The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, and the Business Times, with OCBC as the presenting sponsor.

Mr Zafrul’s categorical denial comes as Malaysia seeks to navigate complex trade negotiations with the Trump administration, which has imposed a 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian goods, among other countries facing reciprocal duties.

He expressed confidence that Malaysia and the US will be able to sign a reciprocal trade agreement that would suit both nations’ domestic priorities during Mr Trump’s