You’ve just witnessed the first face-to-face meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held in Malaysia at a time of rising strain over trade policies and regional security. This hour-long conversation during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ gathering, comes as both nations seek to expand their influence in Southeast Asia, despite not being members of ASEAN.
The two diplomats met on the sidelines of the ASEAN forum in Kuala Lumpur, marking a crucial moment in the tense relationship between Washington and Beijing. Rubio, who stepped into his role as America’s top diplomat earlier this year, has long been a critic of China’s policies. His meeting with Wang follows months of mounting global uncertainty, including U.S. tariff threats and China’s close ties to Russia.
Tensions flare over Russia, tariffs, and diplomacy
During the meeting, Rubio raised concerns about Beijing’s indirect support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. “The Chinese have been supportive of the Russian effort,” he said, accusing China of aiding Russia while trying not to be directly implicated. Rubio’s comments followed his separate discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Rubio’s firm stance on China isn’t new. He was sanctioned by Beijing back in 2020 while serving as a senator, a move that highlighted his outspoken criticism of Chinese human rights abuses and foreign policy moves. Although he spoke with Wang over the phone earlier this year, this meeting marked their first in person since Rubio became secretary of state.
Initially, Rubio had planned to visit Japan and South Korea, but those trips were cancelled to prioritise meetings in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Instead, talks with Japanese and South Korean officials were held on the margins of the ASEAN forum.
Despite the distractions from crises in the Middle East and Europe, Rubio used his public speech on Thursday to reassure ASEAN nations of America’s enduring commitment. “Distraction is impossible,” he said, underlining that the Asia-Pacific region will shape the global story over the next 50 years. He added that the U.S. seeks a “strong partnership” in the region despite current global challenges.
Southeast Asia reacts to U.S. tariffs and China’s push
The backdrop to Rubio’s visit includes President Donald Trump’s recent threat to reimpose sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs, which could potentially hit Southeast Asian economies hard. Malaysia is among those facing up to a 25% tariff, sparking concern during the ASEAN summit.
In his opening speech, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim voiced displeasure with Trump’s protectionist rhetoric. He criticised the growing use of tariffs, export limits, and investment hurdles as tools of geopolitical pressure.
Rubio’s remarks and overall tone at the ASEAN forum were closely watched by all parties involved—not only the 10 ASEAN member nations but also China. According to Lynn Kuok, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, Southeast Asia is seeking more than just security assurances. “They want genuine economic cooperation, not just threats of unilateral tariffs,” she said. Kuok argued that if the U.S. hopes to counter China’s growing presence, its current approach may be missing the mark.
Meanwhile, China continues to court ASEAN with promises of economic cooperation. Wang Yi told foreign ministers that China wants to partner on digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. He criticised trade wars for raising production costs and disrupting supply chains, offering China’s stable development as a better alternative for growth in the region.
With both global powers locked in a game of influence, your region now stands at the centre of a major geopolitical balancing act. The next few months could define which nation gains the upper hand in shaping Southeast Asia’s future.
