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.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there were “areas of potential cooperation” between Washington and Beijing and stressed the importance of managing differences following his first in-person meeting with his Chinese counterpart as he wrapped up a two-day regional security forum in Malaysia.