BEIJING, China: As tensions with Washington deepen, Chinese President Xi Jinping is turning his focus to Southeast Asia, with a diplomatic tour aimed at reinforcing regional partnerships.

Xi is currently in Vietnam, and will then move on to Malaysia and Cambodia, according to state news agency Xinhua. This marks his first overseas trip of the year and a renewed push to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries amid a widening trade conflict with the United States.

Xi's outreach comes after he pledged this week to expand "all-round cooperation" with countries in the region. His visit is viewed as a personal effort to shore up China's influence while U.S. tariffs continue to weigh heavily on Chinese exports.

Since President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 percent this year, Beijing has been stepping up diplomatic engagement with countries also affected by the trade war. These include Vietnam, hit with a 46 percent tariff; Malaysia, facing a 24 percent duty; and Cambodia, with a 49 percent levy. Some have opened discussions with Washington in search of relief, while China remains on the sidelines of those talks.

Xi last visited Vietnam in December 2023, but his trips to Cambodia and Malaysia will be his first in nearly a decade.

Two Vietnamese officials said around 40 agreements are expected to be signed during Xi's visit to Hanoi, including potential rail infrastructure deals. Both sources declined to be named, as they were not authorised to speak publicly.

Rail cooperation has featured prominently in recent bilateral talks between China and Vietnam. Discussions may also include defence and policing agreements, though it remains unclear if any will involve financial commitments or binding terms.

Ahead of the tour which will end on Friday, Xinhua said it would release articles highlighting China's enduring ties with the region, with one story noting how "flowing water cannot be severed" between China and Malaysia, and another focusing on Xi's "ironclad friends" in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, China has intensified its lobbying against U.S. tariffs on the global stage. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held video calls with officials from the EU, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. Premier Li Qiang also spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week, stressing the need for a "strong reformed trading system" based on fairness and equal rules.