In a crucial meeting in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth convened with their Australian counterparts, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles, to focus on pressing Indo-Pacific security issues. Key topics included countering China's growing assertiveness in regions like the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Both nations emphasized the significance of the AUKUS alliance as a means to bolster security against evolving threats. Rubio noted the need for reliable supply chains, while Wong highlighted the strategic benefits of their partnership.