Asia summit tensions over Australia

Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad today lashed out at Australia’s participation in next week’s inaugural East Asia Summit, saying Canberra will pressure Asian countries into accepting Washington’s views on issues such as trade and globalisation.

Mahathir, who had conceived of an East Asian caucus as a way to counter US influence in the region, appeared bitter that his vision has been corrupted with the entry of Australia and New Zealand, two culturally European nations that are close allies of Washington.