US Journalist Says Malaysians Are Too Poor for Xi Jinping’s Visit to Matter
American journalist and political commentator Bill O’Reilly has come under fire for his controversial comments regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Southeast Asia — including Malaysia.
During a segment on his show, O’Reilly questioned the significance of Xi’s visit, suggesting it was pointless for the Chinese president to visit countries that “don’t have money.”
“Why Visit Countries That Can’t Afford Your Goods?”
In his broadcast, Bill O’Reilly didn’t hold back.
“Let’s talk about tariffs. Xi Jinping visited Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia,” he said.
“Hey President — those people aren’t wealthy. They can’t help you or buy your goods.”
O’Reilly further speculated that Xi might be trying to use ASEAN countries like Vietnam to rebrand Chinese products in the face of US tariffs.
“Maybe the goal is to funnel Chinese goods through Vietnam — but that’s too easy to uncover. I don’t get it. If China loses the US market, it’s over for them. We’re the ones with the money — not Malaysia.”
Malaysians Clap Back on Social Media
O’Reilly’s remarks quickly went viral in Malaysia, drawing criticism from netizens who slammed his statements as arrogant and ignorant.
Many pointed out the strength of Malaysia’s growing economy and its strategic importance in Southeast Asia, calling O’Reilly’s views outdated and condescending.
Trump Also Took a Swipe
Former US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the China-ASEAN dynamic, offering a blunt assessment of regional alliances:
“I don’t blame China. I don’t blame Vietnam. I don’t blame ASEAN. But when they meet like this — doesn’t it look like a meeting to figure out how to beat America?”
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