Rubio said the U.S. tariffs imposed on many Asian countries, including the heaviest levies on China, were a top complaint at the summit.

By Andrea ShalalWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in South Africa next week, sources familiar with his plans told Reuters, but will attend the World Expo 2025 in Osaka,

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip a Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in South Africa next week, sources familiar with his plans told Reuters, marking the second time this year he has opted against attending a G20 meeting in the host country.

Marco Rubio is making his first trip to Asia as the top US diplomat, heading to a summit in Malaysia a day after President Donald Trump again threatened to slam the region with high tariffs.

The Trump administration will focus on finding a replacement for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell this fall, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC on Thursday, adding that officials had “a lot of good candidates.

"But Rubio has emerged, with Scott Bessent, as one of the two stars of the Cabinet in terms of having the most influence and being the most effective communicators for Trump and his agenda."