Attendees at the ASEAN meeting this week are facing tension fueled by Trump's latest tariff pronouncements targeting 14 countries, including key allies like Japan and South Korea. These tariffs have sown seeds of doubt about Washington’s commitment to maintaining leadership in the region, impacting the reception of Rubio's calls for greater cooperation against China's ambitions.
Rubio held talks with Japanese and South Korean officials ahead of planned discussions with Southeast Asian diplomats later, where he plans to address pressing concerns related to trade competition, technology transfers, and geopolitical stability. Meanwhile, the shadow of U.S.-China relations looms heavily, ensuring that Rubio's mission remains a balancing act fraught with complications stemming from the current U.S. administration's policies.
Rubio held talks with Japanese and South Korean officials ahead of planned discussions with Southeast Asian diplomats later, where he plans to address pressing concerns related to trade competition, technology transfers, and geopolitical stability. Meanwhile, the shadow of U.S.-China relations looms heavily, ensuring that Rubio's mission remains a balancing act fraught with complications stemming from the current U.S. administration's policies.
