Rubio Visits Asia as Trump Raises Trade-War Tensions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for a gathering of top diplomats from Asian nations, as many of them were grappling with new tariff threats from President Trump.

Mr. Rubio planned to attend a meeting with counterparts from countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations soon after landing in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Mr. Rubio is also scheduled to have a variety of other diplomatic talks on Thursday and Friday before flying back to Washington.

Top diplomats from China, Japan, South Korea and Russia are holding meetings as well in the city this week.

The State Department is framing Mr. Rubio’s whirlwind trip as an effort to reinforce alliances and partnerships that the United States has across Asia and to counter China by building up those ties.

“In his first trip to Asia as secretary of state, Secretary Rubio is focused on reaffirming the United States commitment to advancing a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region,” said Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokeswoman, at a news conference in Washington on Tuesday, using a stock phrase that U.S. officials employ to try to underscore China’s aggressive maritime and territorial moves in the region.

However, Mr. Trump’s sudden announcement on Monday that he would impose higher tariffs on 14 nations if they do not reach trade deals with the United States by Aug. 1 is sure to overshadow whatever discussions Mr. Rubio aims to have with the American partners. At least eight of the 14 countries are expected to have diplomats at meetings in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia, the host nation, is one of the 14.