President Donald Trump departed for his first Asia trip of the term amid a U.S. government shutdown as missed paychecks and flight disruptions mount. He lands in Malaysia for an ASEAN summit and talks to calm a Thailand-Cambodia skirmish, with a joint signing planned with the prime ministers of both countries. Stops in Japan and South Korea follow, with at least $900 billion in investment talks tied to easing planned tariffs. In Busan, he’s slated to meet China’s Xi to cool the trade war, while a possible meeting with Brazil’s Lula remains unconfirmed.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.