US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping within the current year. Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Rubio highlighted the high probability of such a meeting, citing a shared desire from both sides to facilitate it. He emphasized that he couldn’t pinpoint an exact date, yet acknowledged the strong interest from both nations. This announcement follows his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also in Kuala Lumpur, which marked a significant face-to-face interaction amidst existing trade disputes and geopolitical rivalry in Asia. The discussions were described as positive and constructive, with a focus on identifying areas of collaboration and strategic stability. Rubio’s visit to Malaysia was his inaugural trip to Asia as Secretary of State, coinciding with regional meetings involving ASEAN and partner nations.
