KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – July 11, 2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a highly successful visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he met with senior officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China. The two-day summit was marked by productive discussions on trade, security, and cooperation in the region.
Rubio praised ASEAN as the primary way for the United States to engage diplomatically in Southeast Asia, highlighting the country’s deep ties in the region. He noted that the US has strong relationships with many partner nation-states, including those in the Pacific, where U.S. citizens live in Hawaii and other territories.
The secretary of state emphasized the importance of regular engagement and communication between the US and China, a key theme of his meetings with Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi. “We felt really good about it – very constructive, and hopefully we’ll be able to build on that to continue to bring stability to our relationship,” Rubio said.
Tariffs were also discussed during the summit, with Rubio addressing concerns that the US tariffs imposed on various countries in ASEAN may backfire against the US economy. “No, I’m not concerned about that. That’s not going to happen, because these tariffs are being applied on a global scale,” he explained.
Rubio met bilaterally with all 10 members of ASEAN, and his office reported positive engagement and deep partnerships with many countries in the region. The secretary of state also discussed cyber security with various officials, emphasizing the need for cooperation to address growing threats from nation-state actors and cyber criminals.
The US has committed to strengthening its relationship with Vietnam, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Rubio expressed his intention to continue commemorating this milestone with real actions in addition to high-level meetings.
The summit concluded on a positive note, with Rubin expressing his gratitude for the hospitality and warmth received by ASEAN officials during his visit. “This was a very, very positive trip,” he said.
Key Takeaways:
- The US-ASEAN relationship is deeply rooted in the region, with the US having strong ties with many partner nation-states.
- The US and China maintain productive engagement on trade, security, and cooperation, with a focus on building stability in their bilateral relationship.
- Tariffs imposed by the US have been applied on a global scale, rather than targeting specific countries or regions.
- Cyber security is a recurring theme in discussions between the US and ASEAN member states, with a focus on cooperation to address growing threats from nation-state actors and cyber criminals.
In conclusion, Rubio’s visit to Kuala Lumpur marked an important milestone in the US-ASEAN relationship, with both sides committing to strengthen their ties through productive engagement and cooperation.