US & China Seek Stability Through Dialogue at ASEAN Forum

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded a significant bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade, security, and geopolitical alliances.

Rubio spoke to media, “We’re two big, powerful countries, and there are always going to be issues that we disagree on. I Think there’s some areas of potential cooperation. I thought it was a very constructive, positive meeting and a lot of work to do. Both sides need to build better communications and trust.”

Rubio also hinted at a possible visit to China by President Donald Trump to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “The odds are high. I think both sides want to see it happen,” he said.

Key Highlights-

• Rubio and Wang Yi held their first in-person meeting at the ASEAN Forum, calling talks constructive and stressing better communication
• Both sides agreed to expand cooperation while managing differences, amid tensions over trade, security, and global alliances
• Rubio hinted at a likely Trump-Xi summit, while China labeled the meeting as being pragmatic and positive

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed Rubio’s comments, describing the talks as “positive, pragmatic and constructive,” and said both nations agreed to “increase communication and dialogue” and “explore expanding areas of cooperation while managing differences.” Wang Yi called for “jointly finding a correct way for China and the U.S. to get along in the new era.”

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Trade tensions, including the threat of sweeping new U.S. tariffs, hovered in the background. However, Rubio clarified, “Trade wasn’t a major focus of my discussions here. I’m not the trade negotiator. The bulk of our talks have been about all the other things that we cooperate on.”

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned separately, “There are no winners in trade wars. If you start a trade war with everyone, you make your partners weaker and China stronger.”