AP: U.S. and Chinese Foreign Ministers Clash at ASEAN Meeting, Trade and Security Issues Become Focus

AP reported on July 11 that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 11. The two sides expressed clear positions on issues such as trade, security, and China's support for Russia. The meeting was not open to the media, and the two sides only had a brief exchange during the opening photo session. Rubio said before the meeting that China "obviously supports Russia's military action" and stated that the U.S. would express its position to China on this issue. The Chinese Foreign Ministry cited Wang Yi's remarks during the meeting, stating that the United States "abuses tariffs, undermines the free trade system, and disrupts the stability of global supply chains." During meetings with foreign ministers from Thailand, Cambodia, and other countries, Wang Yi emphasized that China is willing to be a "reliable partner" for regional countries, while the U.S. tariff policy is "depriving all parties of their right to development." The Russian Foreign Ministry revealed that Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov warned "certain major powers are creating division and confrontation in the Asia-Pacific" during their meeting on the 10th, implying the United States. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated on July 11 that she supports the U.S. participating in regional affairs, saying it is "crucial for stability." Data shows that the bilateral trade volume between the U.S. and China fell by 12% in the first half of 2025, the U.S. added 37 items to its list of restrictions on high-tech product exports to China, and China's exports of machinery and electronic components to Russia rose by 23% year-on-year. AP analyzed that this meeting highlights the intensifying competition for influence between the two countries in Southeast Asia, but a breakthrough in the deadlock is unlikely in the short term.

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