US Will Proceed With Aukus Security Partnership, Rubio Says (1)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration has endorsed the Aukus security agreement with Australia and the UK following a lengthy review of the Biden-era pact that would sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

“At the direction of the president, Aukus is full-steam ahead,” Rubio said at a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and their Australian counterparts.

Marco Rubio, left, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during the 35th Australia-US Ministerial Consultations at the State Department in Washington, DC, on Dec. 8.

Photographer: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

That sentiment was echoed by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking alongside Rubio at the State Department on Monday at the meeting. Rubio is also set to host UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper for a meeting on Monday afternoon. ...