KUALA LUMPURAs tensions between the two nations increase over Moscow’s escalating attacks on Ukraine and concerns about whether Russia’s Putin is sincere about a peace agreement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart will meet Thursday in Malaysia for what could be a heated discussion.
At the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, which brings together all ten ASEAN members and their most significant diplomatic partners, including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, the Europeans, and the United States, Rubio and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet up in Kuala Lumpur.
The meeting is scheduled to happen soon after the United States resumed some defensive weapons supplies to Ukraine after a hiatus that was applauded in Moscow and reportedly allowed the Pentagon to examine domestic munitions stocks.
The restart coincides with Russia’s expanding airstrikes against Ukraine and President Donald Trump’s growing annoyance with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump explained the reversal of the pause by saying that Putin is not treating human beings humanely. Too many individuals are being killed. I have therefore given my approval for us to transfer some defensive weapons to Ukraine.
Threats of tariffs might overshadow a US diplomatic effort.
Rubio was also meeting with other foreign ministers, many of whom were from nations that would be subject to tariffs on August 1. As the U.S. looks to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific countries in an effort to counter China’s increasing influence in the region, the tariff threat may overshadow the top diplomat’s first official visit to Asia.
Rubio held group discussions with ASEAN foreign ministers in an attempt to allay fears.
He informed them that the Indo-Pacific area continues to be a key component of U.S. foreign strategy. We firmly believe that this century and the next fifty years will be largely written in this region, so when I read in the news that the United States or the world might be distracted by events in other parts of the world, I would respond that distraction is impossible.
In apparent allusion to China, he stated, “These are partnerships and relationships that we intend to continue to build on without seeking the approval or the permission of any other actor in the region of the world.”
Trump warned a number of nations on Monday and Wednesday that failure to negotiate trade agreements with the United States would result in greater tariffs. They include eight of the ten members of ASEAN.
The meetings, which Trump’s Republican administration hopes will prioritize maritime safety and security in the South China Sea, where China has become increasingly aggressive toward its small neighbors, as well as combating transnational crime, will not be focused on tariffs and trade, according to State Department officials.
However, Rubio would find it difficult to escape the tariff issue that has plagued some of America’s closest allies and partners in Asia, such as South Korea, Japan, and the majority of ASEAN members, who Trump claims will be subject to 25% tariffs in the absence of a deal.
Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, has cautioned that international commerce is being used as a weapon to pressure weaker countries. Anwar called on the ASEAN to boost regional commerce and lessen its dependency on outside forces during his remarks at a meeting of foreign ministers on Wednesday.
According to Danny Russell, a former assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific in the Obama administration and vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, Rubio’s talking points about the China threat will not sit well with officials whose industries are being hit by 30–40% tariffs.
According to Russell, Anwar was referring to American tariffs rather than Chinese coercion when he stated that “ASEAN will approach challenges as a united bloc.”
Major tariff increases are affecting eight of ASEAN’s ten members.
As of right now, Trump has said that nearly all ten ASEAN nations will be subject to a 25% tax, which could particularly affect the countries’ exports of electronics and electrical goods to the US.
While Malaysia is prepared to continue tariff talks, Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz stated on Wednesday that the country would not breach its red lines, which include U.S. demands for modifications to digital taxes, halal certification, government procurement, and medical standards.
On Wednesday, Trump delivered tariff letters to two other ASEAN nations: the Philippines, whose imports would be subject to a 20% tax, and Brunei, whose imports would be subject to a 25% tax. Laos is at 40%, Malaysia is at 25%, Myanmar is at 40%, Thailand is at 36%, Cambodia is at 36%, and Indonesia is at 32%.
Singapore is still subject to a 10% duty that was put in place in April, while Vietnam recently agreed to a trade agreement for a 20% tariff on its imports. In an effort to thwart or at least lessen China’s ambition to dominate the area, the Trump administration has courted the majority of Southeast Asian countries.
During his brief 36-hour journey to Kuala Lumpur, Rubio is also expected to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in person.
Rubio is a newbie attempting to sell an America First message to a highly skeptical audience, whereas Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is an experienced participant in such events and well-versed in ASEAN norms and values, according to Russell.
There are still many issues with China, such as those pertaining to trade, human rights, the South China Sea’s militarization, and China’s backing of Russia in Ukraine.
China is still being accused by U.S. authorities of resupplying and modernizing Russia’s military industry so that it may manufacture more weapons that it can use to attack Ukraine.
Rubio and Malaysia’s foreign minister signed a civilian nuclear energy pact earlier Thursday, which will open the door for talks on a more formal nuclear cooperation arrangement, called a 123 accord after the part of U.S. law that permits them.
Under rigorous oversight, these agreements let the United States and American businesses to collaborate with and participate in nuclear initiatives for civilian energy in other nations.
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This article was written by Eileen Ng of the Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
