U.S. President Donald Trump signed a flurry of deals on trade and critical minerals with three Southeast Asian partners on Sunday, as Washington looked to address trade imbalances and diversify supply chains amid tighter export curbs on rare earths by China.

United States President Donald Trump has stressed the importance of US ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a summit with their leaders in Malaysia.

Topping the agenda at every stop is trade, with negotiators still ironing out the details of pacts expected to be signed on Trump's tour of Asia.

The Basel Action Network said at least 10 U.S. companies were exporting used electronics to countries that aren't always prepared to safely handle the toxic metals they contain.

For his first stop on a whirlwind tour of Asia, President Trump will visit Malaysia on Sunday to attend a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an organization of growing global importance that represents nearly 700 million people.

Last year, Andre Neveling decided to make the first Southeast Asian city he ever visited, in Thailand, his home.

Temasek Holdings Pte Chief Executive Officer Dilhan Pillay called for Southeast Asian nations to adopt better enforcement of investor rights to attract global investments into the region.

President Donald Trump will meet with key leaders over the next several days in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, including a closely watched sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Follow for live updates.

US President Donald Trump has “continued to demonstrate leadership and commitment to global efforts for peace and engagement”, says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.