US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host the foreign ministers of Australia, India, and Japan in Washington on July 1. The purpose of the meeting is to strengthen efforts to ensure a free and open order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio made his first diplomatic move as secretary of state on January 21, one day after President Donald Trump began his second term, when he met with the Quad countries, which are focused on China. U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a regular press briefing, “This summit is a continuation of steps taken to advance a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific vision. American leadership means strength, peace, and prosperity.” At the January meeting, the foreign ministers of the four countries reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and announced that regular preparatory meetings would be held for the leaders’ summit expected to take place in India this year.
