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16h ago

Rubio Confronted Over Trump’s Planned Asia Tariffs During First ASEAN Visit

Malaysia’s prime minister plans to press Rubio on looming 25–40% levies set for August 1

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers his keynote address during the opening ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
From left to right, East Timor Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Lao Minister of Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono, Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Yusof, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamad Hasan, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Vietnam's Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative Kyaw Nyun Oo and ASEAN's Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn pose for the group photo during the opening ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
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The ASEAN logo is displayed outside the venue of the ASEAN Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File Photo

Overview

  • Rubio opened his first Asia trip by joining ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur to reaffirm Washington’s Indo-Pacific engagement
  • President Trump this week reinstated 25–40% tariffs on six ASEAN members, with only Vietnam securing a tentative reprieve
  • Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim denounced the proposed levies and said he will raise them directly with Rubio
  • Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russia’s Sergei Lavrov attended the Kuala Lumpur meetings, underscoring great-power competition for ASEAN’s diplomacy
  • ASEAN foreign ministers are drafting a joint communique expressing concern over unilateral levies and urging negotiations before the August 1 deadline