Foreign Minister Penny Wong has held one-on-one talks for the first time with newly sworn-in US secretary of state Marco Rubio.

The threat of punitive tariffs, critical minerals and the AUKUS partnership – not the future of Kevin Rudd’s ambassadorship – formed the basis of Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s first meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Australia’s argument to avoid Donald Trump’s tariffs and maintain the AUKUS pact was successfully delivered on the first full day of his administration in his top diplomat’s first foreign engagements.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has used her first bilateral meeting with America’s top diplomat, Marco Rubio, to build support for the AUKUS partnership and promote closer economic security under a new Trump administration whose agenda has already unnerved close allies.

Analysts said meeting is designed to signal that countering Beijing is a top priority for Mr Trump. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The meeting, bringing together representatives of the four largest militaries in the Indo-Pacific, was a clear signal that the Trump administration will intensify military preparations and threats directed at China.

She will join other foreign ministers from the Quad group in talks with new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Newly sworn-in Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hitting the ground running Tuesday with meetings with his counterparts in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, which

Rubio called China the "most potent, dangerous adversary" during his confirmation and is expected to work with India, Japan, and Australia to counter this.

The Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as America’s 72nd secretary of State, putting in place the first member of President Trump’s Cabinet on the day of his inauguration.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first full day in office Tuesday warned jointly with Japan, India and Australia against coercive actions in Asia, in a veiled but clear warning to China over its actions at sea.

The Quad ministerial meeting of Australia, India, Japan, and the US focused on countering China's influence and maintaining a free Indo-Pacific.