Kuala Lumpur —
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about an upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, following his first in-person meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malaysia.
Rubio described Friday’s interaction as “very constructive and positive,” and noted that it builds on the recent improvement in US-China ties, with Trump having earlier said that bilateral relations were “really good.”
“There’s a strong desire on both sides to do it,” Rubio told reporters in Kuala Lumpur, where he and Wang Yi were attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers’ gathering.
“I think the odds are high,” he added, saying that both countries are working on finding a “mutually acceptable date.”
This high-level diplomatic engagement is one of the most significant between Washington and Beijing since Trump returned to the White House in January, and comes amid ongoing efforts to ease tensions following the recent trade truce.
“We’re two big, powerful countries, and there are always going to be issues that we disagree on. I think there are some areas of potential cooperation,” Rubio said.
When asked about possible areas of collaboration, he stated, “The US will work with the Chinese side and make public announcements later.”
Referring to the recent US-China trade negotiations in London, Rubio highlighted positive momentum:
“The last interaction of our trade representatives was quite positive. And you know, we can build on that in other areas of potential cooperation,” he said.
The talks in London had resulted in a 90-day suspension of high tariffs on Chinese products.
The Chinese foreign ministry echoed a similar sentiment, calling the meeting with Rubio “pragmatic and constructive.” The ministry said both nations agreed to enhance dialogue at all levels through diplomatic channels.
Wang Yi, for his part, emphasized the importance of turning the consensus between Trump and Xi into “concrete policies and actions.” According to the Chinese readout, Wang said he hopes the US will regard China with an “objective, rational, and pragmatic attitude.”
Signs of improving cooperation have already started to appear. China has resumed rare earth exports, while the US has offered to ease some restrictions on ethane, chip-design software, and jet engine components.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said earlier this week that a new round of trade talks is expected to begin in early August, just before the temporary tariff reprieve ends.