【By Observer News, Wang Kaiwen】 As US President Trump announced high tariffs on multiple Asian countries, US Secretary of State Rubio arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, on the 10th local time to attend high-level meetings held during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

This is Rubio's first visit to Asia since taking office in January. However, the Associated Press pointed out on the 9th that Trump's tariff policy may cast a shadow over Rubio's visit to Asia.

On the 7th, Trump announced that starting from August 1st, new tariff rates will be imposed on 14 countries, most of which are Asian countries, including Japan (25%), South Korea (25%), Malaysia (25%), Indonesia (32%), Thailand (36%), Cambodia (36%), Laos (40%) and Myanmar (40%). On the 9th, Trump also announced new tariff rates for another 8 countries, with the Philippines and Brunei facing 20% and 25% tariff rates respectively.

Senior diplomats from these countries will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings held in Kuala Lumpur, and Rubio will participate on the 10th and 11th. Japan and South Korea are not members of ASEAN, but they will send representatives. The foreign ministers of China and Russia will also attend the meeting.

The Associated Press pointed out that although the US Department of State stated that tariff and trade issues are not the focus of Rubio's trip, the Trump administration hopes to focus on so-called "South China Sea maritime security" and combating transnational crimes, but Rubio may find it difficult to avoid the issue of tariffs.

Local time July 10, 2025, US Secretary of State Rubio arrives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Visual China

Danny Russel, Deputy Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Obama administration, said that Rubio's statements about the "Chinese threat" would probably not resonate with officials from countries being hit by tariffs ranging from 30% to 40%.

Among the 10 ASEAN countries, at least 8 countries will face US tariffs as high as 40%, including Malaysia, the host country of this ASEAN meeting. According to the report, the Trump administration has been trying to attract most Southeast Asian countries to weaken or curb China's dominant position in the region.

But Russell pointed out: "In fact, when Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar said last week that he would deal with challenges as a 'united group' at ASEAN, he was not talking about Chinese coercion, but American tariffs."

Anwar attended the opening ceremony of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the 9th, and in his speech, he warned that global trade is being "weaponized", and those "tools that were once used to promote growth are now being used to exert pressure, isolate and contain."

The Associated Press noted that Anwar did not directly name the United States, but he again called on ASEAN countries to jointly address trade threats. According to officials, Anwar will meet with Rubio to discuss tariff issues.

Local time July 9, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar attends the opening ceremony of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. ASEAN official website

So far, only Vietnam has reached an agreement with the United States, where Vietnam agreed to eliminate all tariffs on US imports, while the US will reduce the planned 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods to 20%, but any goods considered to be transshipped through Vietnam to the US will be subject to a 40% tariff.

Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafaruddin said on the 9th that they will continue to negotiate with the US in the coming weeks, while emphasizing that they will not compromise on issues that touch the red line.

According to a draft joint statement seen by Reuters, ASEAN foreign ministers will express "concerns about the worsening global trade tensions and increasing uncertainty in the international economic landscape, especially unilateral actions related to tariffs". However, the draft does not mention the United States.

The Associated Press reported that Rubio is expected to stay in Malaysia for about 36 hours, but US officials have not yet revealed whether Rubio plans to meet with the foreign ministers of China and Russia. CNN cited a US State Department official who said that Rubio plans to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on the 10th.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on the 8th that Central Political Bureau member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 10 to 11.

Regarding this series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on the 8th that China firmly supports ASEAN's central role and is willing to steadily advance the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, promoting the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

"We look forward to working with regional countries to adhere to genuine multilateralism and open regionalism, safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement at a high quality, expand cooperation in emerging industries, promote the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness, and build an Asian security model of mutual security, seeking common ground while reserving differences, dialogue and consultation, and jointly build a peaceful, safe, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly common home," Mao Ning said.

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