Australia’s Wong Hails Positive Discussions With Rubio on Quad, AUKUS

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2R) stands alongside Indo-Pacific Quad ministers (L-R) Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, during a photo opportunity before meetings at the State Department in Washington on Jan. 21, 2025. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and fellow “Quad” nations, just a day after the Trump administration was sworn into office.

Wong was in Washington D.C. to be part of the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which was followed by critical meetings on dealing with the threat from Beijing.

“It was very warm and constructive. It was the first official engagement or first official bilateral engagement—obviously we had the Quad meeting ahead of that,” Wong said in a press conference.

“We spoke about our shared interest and ambition, the strength of our alliance, the importance of our economic partnership, the work we’re doing together with the United Kingdom through AUKUS, and of course critical minerals which has been an issue that he and the president have spoken about.”

Quad Leaders Oppose Unilateral Actions to Change Status Quo

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which comprises leaders from the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, gained traction under the previous Trump administration as a bulwark against an aggressive Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In what appeared to be a signal to Beijing, the four leaders released a statement emphasising democratic values, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“We, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, met today in Washington D.C. to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended,” the statement said.

“Our four nations maintain our conviction that international law, economic opportunity, peace, stability, and security in all domains including the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the peoples of the Indo-Pacific. We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.”

Australia’s foreign minister Wong described the first Quad Foreign Ministers meeting with the new administration as important.

“I want to say how important it was for that meeting to take place. It was important for what we discussed and, as important, it was a signal of the priority that the Trump administration places on the Indo-Pacific—and this is a good thing for Australia’s interests,” she said.

Positive Discussion on AUKUS

Wong said there was also a “very positive discussion on AUKUS.”

“I think it’s been really clear that the Trump administration understands the strategic imperative around AUKUS, which is why the government is so committed to it,” Wong said.

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia that has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding its viability.

The pact will see the United States and UK work to arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, a move aimed at further bolstering safeguards against the CCP’s military buildup in the region.

Rubio had offered strong support for AUKUS during his Senate confirmation hearing.

What Other Matters Were Discussed

Meanwhile, Wong further said Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd “did not come up” during her meeting with the secretary of state.

She refused to be drawn on commenting on Trump’s executive orders in relation to the Paris Climate Accords, TikTok, or other domestic decisions within the United States.

“President Trump’s position on exiting Paris is long standing. Australia also has long standing positions when it comes to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and other matters,” she said.

“In relation to TikTok, we’ve already gone through a process, our own process in relation to how we handle that platform, which you'd be aware of. I think those announcements were made over 18 months ago now maybe, certainly over a year ago, and you know, I’m not going to comment on the domestic decisions that the President makes.”

The new president Trump signed a large number of executive orders including removing gender ideology from federal departments, ending wasteful DEI programs, exiting the Paris agreement, and leaving the World Health Organisation.

Wong also met with U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, where they discussed shared interests on security.

“I was really pleased to meet him so early. In fact, we had such an early meeting, the moving van was still in the driveway at the West Wing when we came out of our meeting,” Wong said.

Wong Confident Government Can Navigate Trade Issues

Wong was confident in being able to work with the Trump administration on trade issues.

Trump has threatened 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada by Feb. 1, and 10 percent tariffs on Chinese imports.

Wong said every Australian government in office at a time where a new administration has come in, has had to navigate trade policy differences.

“I have focused very much on articulating why Australia’s economic relationship with the United States is of benefit to the United States as well as to Australia. That is recognised, focused on the benefit that the economic partnership brings in particular sectors to the United States. And that is recognised.”

The United States actually maintains a trade surplus with Australia, in 2023 this figure reached $17.7 billion.

Dutton Confident of Constructive Relationship with Trump

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton congratulated President Trump on his inauguration during a press conference in Goulburn on Jan. 22.

Dutton is vying to become the next prime minister of Australia and is campaigning in marginal seats ahead of an election, expected within months.

Dutton said his Coalition colleagues and others have a close relationship with members of the current Trump administration.

“So, we will have a very constructive relationship with them in government,” he  told reporters.