'Malays have no money', US political commentator mocks Xi

'Malays have no money', US political commentator mocks Xi


Published: Apr 17, 2025 2:27 PM
Updated: 4:44 PM


Summary

• American political commentator Bill O’Reilly mocks Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visits to Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

• O’Reilly says Asean nations have no money hence will not ‘buy your stuff’.

American conservative political commentator Bill O’Reilly has mocked Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visits to Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia, questioning the economic value of Beijing’s outreach to these Southeast Asian nations.

“Hey, President Xi, let me just break it to you. Those folks have no money at all. They cannot help you, they are not gonna buy your stuff because they don’t have any money,” O’Reilly said in a clip on X.

The former Fox News host appeared baffled by the strategic rationale behind Xi’s regional tour, suggesting the Chinese leader may be attempting to sidestep international scrutiny and economic pressure.

Bill O’Reilly

“Maybe he is going there to try and sneak in Chinese goods under the Vietnamese label. But that’s gonna be easily exposed.

“So I don’t even know what this is. You know... If China loses the US market. But I still believe there’s gonna be a detente here. It’s hosed. It’s just screwed.

“Cause we have the money, we buy the stuff. The ‘Malays’ aren’t gonna buy your stuff, they don’t have any money,” he said.

Trade war

O’Reilly’s comments come in the context of a protracted trade war between the United States and China, which began in 2018 under the Donald Trump administration.

Xi departed Malaysia for Cambodia this morning after concluding a three-day state visit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Anwar Ibrahim shaking hands outside the Prime Minister’s Office

The Chinese president began his visit on Tuesday at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

This was Xi’s second visit to Malaysia in 12 years, after the last one in 2013, which saw the two countries upgrade diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

On Wednesday, Xi was accorded a state welcome, followed by an audience and state banquet with Sultan Ibrahim at Istana Negara.

During a bilateral meeting at Seri Perdana Complex on Wednesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Xi discussed ways to invigorate bilateral cooperation as well as exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders witnessed the exchange of 31 memoranda of understanding, agreements, and notes between Malaysia and China. Xi then attended an official dinner hosted by Anwar.