Rubio Meets Japanese, South Korean Ministers Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea in New York on Monday, days before President Donald Trump is due to host Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House.

Rubio was joined by South Korea's Cho Hyun and Japan's Toshimitsu Motegi for talks at a New York hotel. The three posed for photographs but did not take questions from reporters.

The meeting comes as Washington's Asian allies watch the run-up to Thursday's Trump-Xi summit with concern. Analysts say both Tokyo and Seoul fear Trump could offer concessions to Xi on Taiwan or trade in pursuit of an economic win with Beijing.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are both keen to meet Trump during the UN General Assembly in New York, where all three leaders are scheduled to speak on Tuesday.

Seoul says Lee is seeking a meeting with Trump during the gathering. The push comes as South Korea and the United States negotiate the details of a $350 billion South Korean investment package in the US under a trade deal struck by the allies last year. On Monday, a South Korean opposition lawmaker called for parliamentary scrutiny of the package, warning that talks over energy projects could leave Seoul bearing disproportionate financial risks.

Takaichi, who angered Beijing last year by saying Tokyo could be drawn into a conflict over Taiwan, has also been trying to reach Trump before his meeting with Xi, according to Japanese government sources.

Beyond Taiwan, analysts say the allies will be examining any trade announcements from the summit for their effect on competitiveness relative to China. Even a modest reduction in trade barriers for Beijing could erode their positions.