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.

Less than 24 hours after holding talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted his first face-to-face meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the final day of the Asean Confrence.