US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that he had "positive and constructive" talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, even as tensions remained high over Washington’s sweeping new tariffs targeting Asian imports. Despite that rhetoric, Rubio also said the chances of President Trump visiting China were “high,” adding that both leaders wanted the visit to happen. “We have to build the right atmosphere… so that a visit isn’t just a visit, but actually has some takeaways that are concrete,” he said. The two met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum and East Asia Summit in Malaysia, where Rubio is on his first Asia tour since taking office. The meeting came amid rising regional unease over President Donald Trump's announcement of steep tariffs on several Asian economies, including 25 per cent duties on Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia, and even higher rates for others. China, facing over 100 per cent levies, has until August 12 to negotiate a deal with Washington to avoid further escalation. Rubio emphasised the meeting with Wang was not a negotiation, but a “constructive baseline” for future talks. "We're two big, powerful countries, and there are always going to be issues that we disagree on," he told reporters. “I thought it was a very constructive, positive meeting, and a lot of work to do.” China’s foreign ministry echoed the tone, calling the talks “positive, pragmatic and constructive.” Wang, however, lashed out at the US tariffs during separate discussions with Asian counterparts, calling them “typical unilateral bullying behavior” that undermine free trade and destabilise supply chains. Rubio’s trip was intended to reinforce US commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, but was overshadowed by backlash over the new tariffs. Analysts say Beijing is using the discontent to present itself as a more reliable partner. "Rubio’s engagement is welcome," said Murray Hiebert of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "But Trump’s tariff offensive has undercut US credibility in the region and made China’s economic overtures look more appealing." Wang Yi, in meetings with ministers from Thailand and Cambodia, said the US actions violated multilateral norms and interfered with regional development. “We believe Southeast Asian countries have the ability to cope with complex situations, adhere to principled positions, and safeguard their own interests,” he said. ASEAN foreign ministers, in a joint communique, expressed concern about escalating trade tensions and said unilateral tariffs were “counterproductive” and risked global economic fragmentation—without explicitly naming the US. Rubio also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and described that conversation as “constructive,” indicating they discussed a potential new approach to resolving the Ukraine war. Rubio relayed those ideas to President Trump. He also held trilateral discussions with Japanese and South Korean officials, reaffirming what he called their “indispensable partnership.” (With inputs from Reuters)
