• China slams U.S. tariff pressure as ‘bullying’ while Secretary of State Rubio signals potential Trump-Xi summit to reset global trade dynamics. Allies in Asia brace for economic impact as tariff deadline nears.

KUALA LUMPUR, MY (TDR) — China accused the United States of engaging in economic “bullying” on Friday, escalating tensions just weeks before sweeping tariffs targeting Asian allies are set to take effect. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Malaysia for a regional summit, downplayed the backlash and emphasized the tariffs as necessary corrective measures.

Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit and described the conversation as “very positive,” signaling a “high probability” of an upcoming summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, he cautioned that no formal date had been scheduled.

Beijing Denounces U.S. Trade Strategy

Chinese officials used the high-profile ASEAN platform to criticize the Trump administration’s trade agenda. Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Wang Yi urged Southeast Asian ministers to reject Washington’s tariff push and instead deepen cooperation with China.

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“China has always been the most reliable stabilizing force in a turbulent world,” Wang said. “We remain the most dependable partner for ASEAN countries in facing global challenges.”

In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters that China would “not give in” to what he called Washington’s trade coercion. “Our countermeasures are not only about protecting our rights,” Lin said, “but also about defending global fairness and justice.”

Rubio Defends Trump’s Trade Policy

Secretary Rubio, widely viewed as a leading voice in the administration’s foreign policy team, pushed back on fears that U.S. tariffs might alienate regional allies or push them into China’s sphere of influence.

“We don’t view this as an opening for anyone,” Rubio said. “We view it as an opportunity to reset global trade in a way that’s fair for Americans after two or three decades of unfairness.”

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Rubio emphasized that President Trump’s trade agenda remains rooted in campaign promises. “Trade needed to be revisited—he campaigned on that and that’s what he’s doing,” Rubio stated. “He’s setting it out on a global scale.”

Asian Allies Face Growing Uncertainty

Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are now in the crosshairs of U.S. tariffs set to range between 25% and 40%. Negotiations are underway to avoid the economic fallout before the looming August deadline.

While many Southeast Asian nations have expressed concern, few have directly rebuked Washington, wary of jeopardizing strategic security ties with the U.S.

Rubio appeared unfazed by foreign frustration, stating, “This is not about diplomacy. This is about fairness—economic fairness—for American workers.”

Will China’s anti-tariff rhetoric sway U.S. allies, or will Trump’s hardline trade policy reshape global alliances?

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