ASEAN leaders will soon gather in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the myriad challenges facing the bloc, not least the impact of U.S. tariffs. Adding a twist to proceedings, the source of those — U.S. President Donald Trump — will be in attendance.
Japan’s political quagmire heads toward a resolution with the start of a new session of parliament. Amid tough negotiations between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, all eyes will be on whether new LDP leader Sanae Takaichi can secure enough votes to become prime minister.
Chinese Communist Party Fourth Plenum
Chinese Communist Party leaders convene for a four-day plenary meeting to discuss the country’s next five-year plan. The gathering comes at a critical time, as the world’s second-largest economy faces multiple headwinds, including intensifying tensions with the U.S. Members of the party’s Central Committee, the top decision-making body, are expected to work on measures to steer China through the trade war, deflationary pressure, a prolonged property downturn and vicious price wars in key sectors like electric vehicles. China will announce its third-quarter gross domestic product on the same day the gathering begins.
Albanese visits Washington
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with Trump at the White House in Washington, in what will be the pair’s first face-to-face meeting. Albanese is expected to seek reassurances over America’s commitment to the AUKUS submarine deal and promote access to Australia’s strategic materials such as rare earths as leverage in the talks with the American leader.
Vietnam National Assembly opens
Vietnamese lawmakers gather for the National Assembly’s winter session, expected to last until Dec. 11. The session is scheduled to review, adjust or issue 49 laws and 4 resolutions — a record number. Vietnam, one of the fastest growing economies, is ramping up wide-ranging reforms that the government expects will help fuel double-digit economic growth in 2026, up from an expected 8% in GDP growth this year.
Chinese Communist Party Fourth Plenum
Chinese Communist Party leaders convene for a four-day plenary meeting to discuss the country’s next five-year plan. The gathering comes at a critical time, as the world’s second-largest economy faces multiple headwinds, including intensifying tensions with the U.S. Members of the party’s Central Committee, the top decision-making body, are expected to work on measures to steer China through the trade war, deflationary pressure, a prolonged property downturn and vicious price wars in key sectors like electric vehicles. China will announce its third-quarter gross domestic product on the same day the gathering begins.
Albanese visits Washington
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with Trump at the White House in Washington, in what will be the pair’s first face-to-face meeting. Albanese is expected to seek reassurances over America’s commitment to the AUKUS submarine deal and promote access to Australia’s strategic materials such as rare earths as leverage in the talks with the American leader.
Vietnam National Assembly opens
Vietnamese lawmakers gather for the National Assembly’s winter session, expected to last until Dec. 11. The session is scheduled to review, adjust or issue 49 laws and 4 resolutions — a record number. Vietnam, one of the fastest growing economies, is ramping up wide-ranging reforms that the government expects will help fuel double-digit economic growth in 2026, up from an expected 8% in GDP growth this year.
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