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.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday he had a "positive" meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN talks in Malaysia, where Washington's tariffs