Trump skips Southeast Asia summit for third year in a row

US national security adviser Robert O’Brien, centre, with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during a virtual summit on Saturday (VNA/AP)

President Donald Trump skipped a virtual summit with his Southeast Asian counterparts on Saturday, the third year in a row the US is being represented at a lower level.

National security adviser Robert O’Brien said Mr Trump regretted he was unable to attend the online summit with the 10-members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but stressed the importance of ties with the region.