Secretary of State Marco Rubio met counterparts in Southeast Asia during his first visit to the region since taking office.

The U.S. Secretary of State wants to bolster defense ties in the Indo-Pacific, while distrust of Trump’s commitments to the region, particularly on economic issues, runs deep.

The ASEAN communique did not name the US, but its opposition to the tariffs was obvious, expressing concern over “rising global trade tensions and growing uncertainties” and “unilateral actions relating to tariffs.