Rubio Set to Visit Malaysia for ASEAN Meetings Amid Tariff Tensions

Contact Your Elected Officials

Trade policies, tariffs, and regional security are expected to be hot topics during the multilateral discussions.

A delegation that includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a series of high-profile meetings between July 11 and July 12.

Rubioโ€™s first official trip to Asia is centered on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual conference.

The gathering marks a decade of meetings between foreign ministers and leaders from 10 cooperating nations, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Themes of the meetings include sustainability and inclusivity, with a goal of looking to continued success through 2045 and beyond, according to the organizationโ€™s website.

Rubioโ€™s visit underscores Washingtonโ€™s renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

The trip comes after President Donald Trumpโ€™s recent tariff announcements, which also targeted some ASEAN countries.

Originally scheduled as a three-nation tour, with stops in Japan and South Korea preceding the summit, the trip was shortened at the last minute to only include Malaysia.

It is unclear if the tariff letters sent by Trump on July 7 played a role in the change of plans.

The announcement of sweeping tariffs, set to take effect on Aug. 1, complicated diplomatic efforts, according to some trading partners. Tariff threats have jolted ASEAN, a bloc of export-dependent economies, prompting concerns and fueling uncertainty.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said during the Foreign Ministersโ€™ Meeting on July 9 that global trade was being โ€œweaponized.โ€

โ€œWhen I meet Secretary Rubio tomorrow, I will certainly raise these issues for his consideration,โ€ he said.

The regulations target several ASEAN nations, including Malaysia, which faces a 25 percent levy on electronics and electrical product exports to the United States, Laos and Myanmar at 40 percent, Cambodia and Thailand at 36 percent, and Indonesia at 32 percent tariffs.

Rubioโ€™s visit is aimed at reaffirming the U.S. commitment to a โ€œfree, open, and secure Indo-Pacific,โ€ according to a statement from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, which highlighted the challenges of managing complex trade policy negotiations.

By Travis Gillmore

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Earned vs. Owed

Not since the Donner Party has a group of people so badly misinterpreted the circumstances of their situation like the players of the WNBA.

Just How American are Americaโ€™s Elite Schools?

Their exteriors may be ivy clad, but that faรงade on Americaโ€™s elite universities cloaks secrecy, power politics and globalist attitudes as well.

Multiple Democrats Playing Defense

There is a news situation going on that is...

TOTAL ROT: Consultant Brain and Horserace Politics Have Wrecked Political Discourse

Is feeding at the trough of government graft the goal of politics, or is it the optimal administration of the state? The answer depends on whom you ask.

Media Ignore Trump Successes To Focus On Epstein

Despite President Trump's amazing successes, the media refuse to give credit to the Trump and are continuing to focus on the โ€œEpstein files.โ€

Declassified Durham Report Annex Sheds New Light on Origins of Russia Probe: Grassley

Sen. Grassley released declassified annex to John Durhamโ€™s 2023 report into FBIโ€™s investigation into allegations of Trump campaignโ€“Russia ties.

Appeals Court Hears Arguments Over Whether to Block Trumpโ€™s Tariffs

Multiple judges on an appeals court questioned whether a decades-old law Trump invoked had provided him the authority on tariffs he said it did.

State Department Sanctions Palestinian Authority Officials, PLO Members

US State Dept imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the PLO as U.S. officials arrived in Israel for more cease-fire talks.

Weekly Jobless Claims Remain Near 3-Month Low

According to the Dept of Labor, initial jobless claims rose by 1,000, to 218,000 for the week ended July 26, remaining close to a three-month low.

Bessent Says Trump Accounts for Kids Are Backdoor โ€˜For Privatizing Social Securityโ€™

Treasury Sec Scott Bessent said Trump Accounts are โ€œa back door for privatizing Social Security,โ€ but the admin is committed to protecting Social Security.

Trump Says Canadaโ€™s Backing of Palestinian Statehood Threatens US Trade Deal

President Trump said it would be โ€œvery hardโ€ to reach a trade agreement with Canada after PM Carney announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state.

Trump Imposes 25 Percent Tariff on India Plus Unspecified Penalty

Trump said US to impose a 25% tariff on Indian goods and unspecified penalties, citing India's high trade barriers and reliance on Russian energy and arms.

White House Launches Health Information Sharing Initiative

Making Health Technology Great Again centers on giving patients full access to their own health records and making the data useful for both doctors and patients in managing disease.
spot_img

Related Articles