ASEAN leaders gather in Manila as Trump’s visit and energy crisis loom

Southeast Asian leaders are gathering in the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit. Talks are expected to focus on trade, regional security and an energy crisis linked to the war on Iran. US President Donald Trump is expected on Tuesday, while disputes over the South China Sea and the conflict in Myanmar are also on the agenda. Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Lo says most meetings hosted by the Philippines as chair have focused on the economic impact of the war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Philippines imports 99 percent of its fuel and was the first country to declare a state of energy emergency. The Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand have signed an agreement giving the Philippines priority access to Thai and Indonesian fuel stockpiles if it runs out. Talks will also cover a South China Sea code of conduct under negotiation for more than 20 years. Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro says 80 percent has been finalised. Hundreds of students at the University of the Philippines are protesting Trump’s attendance, a US-led AI supply chain initiative and engagement with Myanmar’s military-backed government. Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Lo reports live from Manila. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://x.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #ASEAN #Philippines #Manila #Trump #SouthChinaSea #AlJazeeraEnglish