Marco Rubio joins ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila to address Middle East hostilities and South China Sea tensions.
Marco Rubio traveled to Manila to attend the 59th ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, where diplomats gathered to address escalating global conflicts. The administration prioritized the summit to reaffirm U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The 11-member regional bloc expressed serious concern over renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran. These conflicts have threatened global energy supplies, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting Southeast Asia as a major oil importer. The ministers signaled a need for dialogue to mitigate supply crunches and inflation. Beyond the Middle East, the meeting focused on regional stability. Diplomats discussed the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and the persistent disputes in the South China Sea. Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of maintaining a relationship with China despite various irritants, while also preparing to meet with other Quad bloc members. The summit serves as a critical platform for regional cooperation against coercive threats to sovereignty and economic security.