US Secretary of State Rubio Visits Malaysia as Trump Signals Steeper Tariffs
Rubio Highlights Potential Asian Trade Advantages
Rubio told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that Southeast Asian nations could end up with tariff rates that are “better” than those in many other parts of the globe.
He emphasized that the U.S. is “continuing talks” and that negotiations will persist next week with Japan and with almost every country represented at the ASEAN meeting.
Trump’s August 1 Deadline and Proposed Duties
Trump announced that duties suspended in April would snap back—potentially at even higher rates—by the new deadline.
He warned more than 20 countries, many in Asia, that they could face tariffs ranging from 20 % to 50 %:
Japan and South Korea could each be hit with 25 %
Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Myanmar face duties from 20 % to 40 %
Vietnam (an ASEAN member) and the United Kingdom are the only two nations that reached a tentative agreement with Trump.
Trump also announced a 50 % duty on copper imports and a possible 200 % duty on pharmaceuticals.
U.S. Commitment to East and Southeast Asia
Before Rubio’s trip, Washington officials said the U.S. is “prioritizing” its engagement with East and Southeast Asia.
In Malaysia, Rubio told reporters that the United States has “no intention of abandoning” the region and that the U.S. seeks to expand existing relationships.
Rubio’s Diplomatic Meetings in Malaysia
Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, expressing “disappointment and frustration” over the lack of progress in ending the Ukraine war.
He also attended a post‑ministerial conference, participated in trilateral talks with the Philippines and Japan, and met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss tariff implications.
Prime Minister Anwar stated that unilateral actions undermine free‑trade flows and could hinder regional economic growth, especially for trading nations like Malaysia.
Possible Meeting With Chinese Counterpart
Rubio indicated that he might meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who is attending the ASEAN meeting.
Wang, speaking without mentioning the United States, called for a “fairer and more reasonable” international order and highlighted challenges posed by unilateral protectionism and the abuse of tariffs by a major country.
