Najib to meet Trump at White House
They will discuss cooperation on national safety, trade and investment
THE prime minister will visit the US on the invitation of the American president. At the Sept 12 meeting, they are expected to discuss trade as well as the fight against terrorism and extremism.
NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHI KUALA LUMPUR ainradhi@nst.com.my
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s meeting with United States President Donald Trump next month will touch on, among others, extremism and the spread of the Islamic State (IS) terror group’s influence.
Najib, who is scheduled to visit the White House on Sept 12, said he was in the process of having “internal discussions” on matters that would be raised during the meeting with Trump.
“I will hold a press conference before I go (to the US), as I am in the process of having internal discussions. But one of the main topics would be on the fight against extremism, IS, militancy, the role of Malaysia in playing our part in making Southeast Asia a zone of peace and harmony, as well as trade issues.”
Najib, who earlier chaired an Umno Supreme Council meeting as its president, expressed confidence that Malaysia-US bilateral trade could be improved.
“We can improve our economic relationship with the US,” he said.
The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that Najib would make a working visit to Washington, D.C. at the invitation of Trump.
It said Malaysia and the US looked forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties, and that the relations had been enhanced under Najib’s leadership to a comprehensive partnership based on shared interests.
The US embassy here said that Trump looked forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of US-Malaysia bilateral relations and discussing ways “to strengthen and broaden our bilateral relationship, and expand regional cooperation with one of America’s closest partners in Southeast Asia”.