U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday he had "positive and constructive" talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as the two major powers vied to push their agendas in Asia at a time of tension over Washington's tariff offensive.

Mr. Rubio’s efforts have been overshadowed by new tariff threats that President Trump made to 14 foreign leaders, which have infuriated the target governments, including Malaysia, the host of the mee...