Malaysia welcomes US President Barack Obama (Source: AFP)

US President Barack Obama on April 26 arrived in Malaysia for a three-day state visit, during which he will discuss issues of bilateral trade and regional affairs.

President Obama’s trip will be the first by a sitting US President since 1966. He is expected to hold talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on the current status of negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

According to the two sides’ officials, the visit will help reinforce the strong economic ties which form the bedrock of the relationship between the two nations.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the US remains one of the country’s biggest trading partners and a leading source of foreign direct investment in the country.

Malaysia is the third stop on President Obama’s Asian tour, which began on April 23. He has already visited Japan and the Republic of Korea, with the Philippines to follow his Malaysia trip. The aim is to enhance the US’s ties with the nations, particularly in regard to the TPP talks.

VNA