Rubio said the U.S. tariffs imposed on many Asian countries, including the heaviest levies on China, were a top complaint at the summit.

The two major powers vied to push their agendas in Asia at a time of simmering tension over a U.S. trade tariffs offensive.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi Friday on the sidelines of Asean talks in Malaysia, where Washington’s tariffs are in sharp focus. Rubio and Wang’s first face-to-face meeting since US President Donald Trump returned to office comes as Washington and Beijing are locked in disputes ranging from trade to Taiwan — and both powers vie for greater influence in the region.