US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are likely to meet this year, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The odds of a meeting are high, with both sides reportedly eager to take it forward.
Rubio’s comments came after he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the first time since taking office. The two foreign ministers discussed trade frictions and competition for influence in Asia.
Despite tensions over trade, Rubio described the meeting as “very constructive” and “positive”. He noted that both sides want to build trust and achieve concrete deliverables ahead of a potential meeting.
The US and China have been navigating trade disputes since Trump’s return to office. The two countries agreed on a trade framework in London last month, but tensions remain high.
Rubio emphasized the need for the US and China to strengthen diplomatic channels and communication to resolve their differences. He also stressed that Washington is committed to addressing trade imbalances with countries like China.
The US has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, leading to retaliatory measures from Beijing. However, Rubio rejected the idea that these measures could create opportunities for China in the region.
Instead, he argued that the US seeks to reset global trade in a way that’s fair for Americans, addressing decades of unfairness. The US has announced plans to impose tariffs on eight countries in ASEAN, including South Korea and Japan, unless they strike trade deals with the US.
The meeting between Wang and Rubio marks an effort by Washington to demonstrate its commitment to the region, where China is a key economic partner but also faces criticism for its aggression in the South China Sea.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/11/asia/rubio-asean-meeting-china-trump-intl