Kuala Lumpur – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first face-to-face meeting amid the ASEAN Regional Forum, underscoring a shared interest in maintaining open communication and responsibly managing their bilateral relationship.
Wang emphasized the strategic importance of collaboration, stating that leaders from both nations should “jointly find a correct way for China and the U.S. to get along in the new era.” Both diplomats praised the session as “constructive, positive and pragmatic,” agreeing to enhance dialogue and pursue targeted cooperation while managing their differences.
Rubio, who met regionally with counterparts from Japan, Australia, and Russia, described the meeting as a hopeful sign. He affirmed the need for better communication and trust and suggested high chances of a Trump‑Xi summit soon.
The dialogue comes amid intensifying tensions over U.S. tariff threats and China’s support for Russia in Ukraine. Wang criticized U.S. tariffs as unilateral “bullying,” expressing China’s readiness to assist ASEAN economies as an alternative partner.
Regional leaders welcomed the exchanges but cautioned that tariff disputes remain a threat to supply chain stability. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned, “There are no winners in trade wars,” while Australia’s foreign minister called for an Indo-Pacific balance free from coercion.
