President Donald Trump brought his signature dance moves to Malaysia, marking the start of his eagerly awaited week-long tour across Asia.
Upon his arrival at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, Trump was greeted by the rhythmic beats of drums as he descended from Air Force One. The red carpet led him to a group of native dancers on Sunday morning, local time.
After enduring a 23-hour journey from Washington, D.C., the 79-year-old president stepped energetically from side to side, pumping his fists in a familiar gesture.
Trump’s dance, which gained popularity during his 2024 campaign, helped bolster his successful bid against Kamala Harris, securing him a second term in the White House.
Amidst a lively troupe of performers dressed in vibrant costumes, Trump joined in on the festivities. The dancers’ colorful attire symbolized the diverse ethnic tapestry of Malaysia, showcasing influences from Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups from Borneo.
As the dancers clapped, swayed, and chanted harmoniously, they performed a traditional routine to officially welcome Trump on his first stop. His itinerary also includes visits to Japan and South Korea, where he is slated to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A jubilant crowd waving American and Malaysian flags applauded during the spirited encounter. Trump then approached the onlookers, grabbed two flags and posed for photos.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim walked alongside Trump as he was given a warm introduction to the Southeast Asian nation.
President Donald Trump greeted Malaysian dancers with his signature moves as he kicked off his highly anticipated week-long foreign trip to Asia
Trump performed his signature dance with the eager performers
Performers gave Trump a warm welcome, cheering as he arrived at the capital
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim walked alongside Trump as he was given a warm introduction to the Southeast Asian nation
Trump has embarked on this five-day Asia tour to arrange trade deals throughout the region.
He has set high expectations for the trip, claiming he will leave his meeting with Xi in South Korea with a ‘really fair and really great trade deal.’
But before he meets with Xi, he will attend a peace deal ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center between Cambodia and Thailand.
He will then meet with the newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo.
Trump’s next stop will be South Korea, where he will deliver remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Finally, he will conclude his trip with a consequential bilateral meeting with Xi. Trump also said he was open to speaking with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone.
The trip comes after a week of breakdowns in foreign policy for the Trump administration.
Peace in the Middle East remains tenuous after the Israeli Knesset symbolically voted to support West Bank annexation after the president secured an agreement with Hamas earlier this month.
Trump arrived in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday morning local time
Trump grabbed an American and a Malaysian flag before posing for photos with the eager crowd
A crowd holding American and Malaysian flags applauded Trump as he danced
His second meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin fell apart, leading to the imposition of oil sanctions, and tensions with China are at a months-long high.
On his flight to Malaysia, Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on Canada by 10 percent. He also noted that he hopes to land on a ‘comprehensive’ trade deal with China.
When Air Force One made a refueling stop in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, Trump briefly met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Trump warned that Hamas ‘will have a very big problem’ if it fails to uphold the tentative deal forged with Israel earlier this month, which many fear is teetering on the brink.
‘The ceasefire will hold. If not, we will deal with Hamas very harshly,’ Trump declared.
Trump also sat down with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
‘We have done a lot together, especially in the last year… Peace to the Middle East, and they were a very big factor in it,’ Trump said to the two Qatari leaders.
Trump’s former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon blasted the trip to Asia as one of the president’s ‘riskiest’ ever.
But US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has shared a positive outlook for Trump’s tour.
On Saturday, during a brief refueling stop in Doha, Trump met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani aboard Air Force One
Aside from meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Trump also declared he wants to raise tariffs on Canada on his way to Malaysia
Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke with Chinese officials in Kuala Lumpur.
‘I think we’re moving forward to the final details of the type of agreement that the leaders can review and decide if they want to conclude together,’ Greer told reporters, according to CNN.
‘We had quite constructive discussions with our Chinese counterparts. We think we’re getting to a point where we have something we can present to the leaders.’
