U.S. and Australia Discuss Indo-Pacific Security Amid Rising Tensions with China
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with their Australian counterparts in Washington to discuss Indo-Pacific security, with a focus on countering China's growing assertiveness in the region. The talks, held at the State Department, included Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles. The discussions centered on strengthening the U.S.-Australia alliance, particularly in areas such as critical minerals, defense production, and troop deployments. While China was not explicitly mentioned, its influence in the Pacific and actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan were key topics. The meeting also touched on the AUKUS pact, an agreement involving the U.S., UK, and Australia to build an Australian fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.