Overview

• Rubio called the July 11 meeting in Kuala Lumpur with Wang Yi "positive and constructive" and clarified it was not a negotiation.
• Both sides agreed to strengthen communication channels and dialogue at all levels to encourage stability in U.S.-China relations.
• They indicated a high probability of a summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping before the end of the year.
• Trade tensions and reciprocal tariffs set to take effect on August 1 were deliberately set aside to focus on broader strategic engagement.
• These talks follow a 90-day pause on tariffs agreed in June and highlight ASEAN’s status as Washington’s key diplomatic forum in Southeast Asia.