Marco Rubio, Wang Yi Hold "Positive" Talks at ASEAN Amid Tariff Tensions

Last Updated Jul - 11 - 2025, 06:20 PM | Source : Fela News

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and China's Wang Yi held constructive talks at the ASEAN summit, despite sharp tensions over U.S. tariffs, Taiwan, and regio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as “constructive and positive” during ASEAN talks in Malaysia on Friday, July 11, 2025. This was the first direct conversation between the two since President Donald Trump resumed office. While major disagreements remain over issues like trade and Taiwan, both sides showed signs of willingness to cooperate on some matters.

Rubio clarified that the hour-long discussion was not a formal negotiation, but added, “We left feeling that there are areas where we can work together.” He also expressed optimism about a possible meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying both leaders are interested, though no date has been confirmed.

Rubio and Wang are in Kuala Lumpur for a summit involving ASEAN foreign ministers, along with representatives from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others. The U.S. delegation has emphasized the Biden administration’s renewed focus on strengthening ties in East and Southeast Asia.

Tariff Tensions Take Center Stage

Despite diplomatic efforts, U.S. tariffs dominated the summit’s agenda. Rubio defended the broad range of tariffs, calling them necessary to correct America’s large trade imbalances. “These massive deficits can’t go on,” he said, arguing that regional leaders understand the need for change.

President Trump has threatened steep tariffs—ranging from 20% to 50%—on more than 20 countries, many of them in Asia, unless trade agreements are reached by August 1. ASEAN responded with concern, warning in a joint statement that such tariffs are “counterproductive” and could harm regional economic stability.

Japan, a close U.S. ally, is facing a 25% blanket tariff, in addition to existing duties on cars, steel, and aluminum. South Korea is in a similar position.

During his visit, Rubio also met with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea, and his spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, called the trilateral alliance “indispensable.”

However, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized the tariff measures, saying they are being used as tools of “geopolitical rivalry.”

China Pushes Back

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the U.S. tariff actions on Thursday, saying they threaten global trade fairness and harm Southeast Asia’s right to development. He accused the U.S. of undermining the free trade system by targeting nations like Cambodia with high tariffs.

Tensions between the two global powers have intensified since Trump returned to the White House. Both countries engaged in a tariff war earlier this year, with U.S. duties on Chinese goods reaching 145% and China retaliating with 125% tariffs.

A temporary easing of these tariffs was agreed upon in May, with President Trump calling it a “total reset.” However, deep mistrust remains on both sides.

Further fueling tensions, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned in May that China is actively preparing for a possible military move in the Asia-Pacific, particularly targeting Taiwan. In response, Chinese officials accused Washington of using Taiwan as a tool to limit China’s rise and warned against escalating provocations.