"Deeply regrettable" is how Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat - a 25% levy on Japanese goods. Tokyo, a long-time US ally, has been trying hard to avoid exactly this.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met counterparts in Southeast Asia on Thursday during his first visit to Asia since taking office, seeking to reassure them that the region is a U.S. priority despite President Donald Trump's tariff offensive.

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