US diplomatic chief Marco Rubio today expressed from Malaysia his satisfaction with the “positive” meeting he had with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and his optimism about a possible Xi-Trump meeting.

“I considered this meeting very constructive and positive,” Rubio told reporters after his meeting with Wang on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur. He also noted a “strong will” on both sides to organise a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Rubio is in Malaysia for his first trip to Asia since taking office, attending the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum alongside counterparts from Japan, China, South Korea, Russia, Australia, India, the European Union and Southeast Asian nations.

His meeting with Wang comes amid escalating tensions internationally over Trump’s tariffs, with China warning the US this week not to reinstate high tariffs on its products next month.