Presidential Donald Trump left for Asia Friday night to work on investment deals and peace efforts.
The president is also expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in an attempt to deescalate a trade war, NewsNation reported.
“We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us,” Trump said as he left the White House. “I think we’ll have a good meeting.”
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The president will arrive in Malaysia Sunday morning. This is the first stop of three.
Trump will attend a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia and the U.S. have been working on how to handle fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.
On Sunday, he will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. A joint signing ceremony with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia will follow.
Earlier this year, Trump said he would withhold trade deals with the countries who do not stop fighting. The Trump administration has been working with Malaysia for an expanded ceasefire.
Trump lauded Ibrahim for seeking peace.
“I told the leader of Malaysia, who is a very good man, I think I owe you a trip,” he said.
Trump may also meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Brazilian leader wants the U.S. cut a 40% tariff on Brazilian imports. Trump’s administration has justified the tariffs due to Brazil’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is an ally of Trump.
As Trump heads to Asia, Democrats are criticizing the trip while the federal government is shut down.
Some federal workers will likely miss their first full paycheck this week and states are dealing the possibility of not enough food aid to handle the need.
“America is shut down and the President is skipping town,” Senate leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Friday night.
