KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 25): International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking said today Malaysia welcomes trade diversions due to the China-US trade war. Leiking said Malaysia can facilitate these trade diversions and leapfrog them to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region.

He said this is an opportunity for Asean to push forward in terms of trade, by grouping together and protecting the region's trade prospects amid trade war.

"We can also facilitate parties to do other businesses (here in Malaysia), and leapfrog them to other countries in Asean which have missed out from trade (so far)," he said here today on the sidelines of the 4th Malaysia Oil & Gas Services Exhibition and Conference.

While trade diversion will certainly be positive for Malaysia, Leiking said the China-US trade war will affect every country across the globe.

"What we want is the US and China to come to their senses. Whatever they decide, although it involves protectionism, (they should) think. As global giants, they should also consider the effects on those who are trading with them," he said.