JUST IN: Marco Rubio Responds to Reports of U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal at ASEAN Press Conference | AC1B

[00:00:00]The bigger point to make in that regard is that the US will continue to we're never going to accept that international waterways are somehow under the control of other countries.

[00:00:09]We'll continue to sail through international waterways and freedom of navigation efforts of that kind and we'll continue to live up to our commitments, for example, with the Philippines and other countries in terms of the treaty commitments that we have.

[00:00:21]Um and I again, it speaks to areas of disagreement when it comes to our policies with China. They need those need to be managed very carefully because obviously a conflict be it economic or otherwise between the US and China would have a dramatic global impact. So, the difficult job of geopolitics and foreign policy is managing your differences and not doing anything that runs contrary to our national interest, but at the same time trying to avoid conflict that could lead to something really catastrophic for the world. And I think we have an obligation to do that, which is why it's important for us to continue to talk to China irrespective of our differences. It's important to you know, if you go back to the height of the Cold War, even in the height of the Cold War you know, at its most tense moments, the United States and the Soviet Union were communicating at least at a military-to-military level and even at a diplomatic level. And in many ways that prevented catastrophe.

[00:01:10]So, I'm not saying we're at that stage with China, but what I am saying is it would frankly be reckless and irresponsible for the US and China not to have a relationship given the impact and the and the our countries have on the global economy and on the world.

[00:01:23]>> Did you discuss with China with with Minister Wang Yi the the working group or any more details of the board of trade board of the >> Yes, we did. We did and we we're moving towards implementation of that and I think that's one of the potential, you know, concrete deliverables that we can have before September when that visit happens. And again, those are good ideas and they they come in the aftermath of the visit we took to China earlier this year and so we did discuss that, yes.

[00:01:48]>> You said that Russia's Lavrov revealed that he's going to be meeting with you tomorrow.

[00:01:52]>> Yeah.

[00:01:52]>> If that happens, are you going to press him on Ukraine or are you simply keeping it to >> going to I don't know if the term is present. We're going to talk about it.

[00:02:00]You know, obviously, you know, the the the war in Ukraine I think has in many ways impeded the ability of Russia and the United States to find areas of agreement on other topics. That doesn't mean we won't seek to find other areas of potential cooperation. But by the same token, you know, we'd like to see that war come to an end. We think it would be good for Russia if that war came to an end. So, we'll raise it and as I said, the US remains open and willing to play a constructive role in bringing that war to an end if that opportunity presents itself. And and it might, you know, we're we're open to it to to playing that role because we think right now, and I think the Russians would agree, we're probably the only country in the world that can play that role uh in that in in trying to bring that to an end.

[00:02:39]>> What kind of role is the US playing right now in doing that? I mean, there's still some kind of quiet talks going on or average >> Well, you know, I think that you since kind of fall off a little bit over the last few months. Um perhaps there are now new conditions in place that will allow that conversation to happen. It's one of the things we'll explore tomorrow in our conversation. I saw the foreign minister Lavrov last night briefly. We didn't talk about any of this, but I saw him last night when he arrived at the opening dinner and um we'll talk more tomorrow.

[00:03:06]Obviously, you know, to be fair to you guys, I mean a lot of stuff I'll talk to him about I'm not going to like put in a press release because it undermines the ability to find understandings, but we'll talk about it and see if there's an opening now or an opportunity for us to play a constructive role, but there are other areas that we the US and Russia can cooperate on that we again, going back to the point I made about China, you know, this is very simple, you know, Russia possesses the We are the two largest nuclear armed countries on the planet. For us not to talk would be reckless and irresponsible. We have to have a relationship with the Russian government even though we have areas of disagreement. And in the case of Ukraine, perhaps an opportunity to if we can play a constructive role to bring it to an end. So, you know, I'm sure that'll come up tomorrow. There's no doubt, but we'll talk about some other stuff, too.

[00:03:50]>> The Secretary, the is reporting that um President Trump has approved a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. Do you have any details on that?

[00:03:57]>> Yeah, I'm I'll I'll let the White House officials sort of put out an official statement about anything with regards to that, but um I saw the same reporting this morning, but um let me let that go through the I don't I don't I'd prefer it be, you know, put out when there is something to say that we'll say it in through official channels.

[00:04:16]>> Has the US asked South Korea or other Asian allies to contribute naval assets or something you know >> We didn't ask them that today. We Look, I think it's to their benefit, right? If you look at the region, they heavily depend on oil and natural gas that comes from this part of the world. Now, one of the interesting things you've seen is that the supplies that are reaching many of the countries in the region have begun to change. They're buying more LNG from us than ever before.

[00:04:40]Um they're also buying more oil from us than ever before. So, I think some of the changes you have seen in where people are getting their energy is are going to be permanent after what you've seen here. But nonetheless, the straits remain an important source of energy for many of the countries in this region.

[00:04:53]It's about 20% of the global oil that that's purchased. So, um I think we would we think it'd be to their benefit to participate in an effort >> today in these conversations?

[00:05:03]>> We didn't ask directly today, but we've had those conversations with them in the past. Every country has different restrictions on what they need to do in order to authorize that. Some have to get legislative approval.

[00:05:12]Um some can do it unilaterally. Every country's different, but we've certainly raised it with different countries. We don't need them to do it, but we think it would be beneficial if they did. And some of these countries have unique capabilities in terms of mine clearing and things of that nature. So, it'd be great if they if they join the effort, and I think some of them may eventually do so. It's in their interest to do so, but um we we didn't reach any agreement on that today. Frankly, it wasn't the cornerstone of what our conversations were about.

[00:05:35]>> Mr. Secretary, a lot of the ASEAN countries have expressed how terrible the war in Iran is for them when it comes to economically and the energy crunch. Uh but Israel's finance minister sort of sort of struck a tone in a different direction said that the tit-for-tat is actually the best possible situation for Israel because it's weakening Iran.

[00:05:56]Does this show that there are some differences between the United States and Israel when it comes to how they view this war? The United States is trying to end this but the Israelis are hostilities continuing is in their benefit.

[00:06:08]>> Yeah, look I I can't comment on what some one individual in government said in Israel. You know, I can just generally tell you that by and large we think that a nuclear armed Iran is an unacceptable thing. It can't happen and that's what they were going to do if they hid behind this conventional shield that they were building and the president just was going to stand by and allow that to happen.

[00:06:28]Within 2 years Iran could say we're breaking out to a nuclear weapon you can't do anything about it or we're going to overwhelm you with tens of thousands of drones and missiles which they were on pace to build. They can't do that now. That certainly weakened them.

[00:06:39]As far as the impact it's had on the global economy, I mean Iran is targeting global shipping in international waterway and demanding to control which ships can go and which ones cannot. That just is unacceptable.

[00:06:50]We're not going to accept that. We're not going to allow that to be the status quo.

[00:06:55]But ultimately there are other countries that should feel just as strongly as we do because they're actually more impacted by it than we are.

[00:07:00]>> Did you discuss with Minister Jaishankar did he raise it all any concern by India about the tariffs announced by the president on generic drug makers? A lot of Americans buy their generic drugs from Indian companies that import. Is that something that came up in your discussions at all?

[00:07:16]>> I mean not with me. I mean we we didn't get into depth on pharmaceuticals today.

[00:07:20]Obviously I would expect them to be concerned about it but they didn't raise it today. But they might have with others in our system because we we obviously deal with the Indians. We're very close to them. So >> Mr. Secretary, you and the president are very blunt in your anti-communist language. Recently you put out that recent report on Cuba.

[00:07:34]Do you think it's inconsistent in that you haven't addressed the same issues with China? They're the largest communist party in the world, 100 million >> Yeah, but our issue is with communist interference inside of our country. Like that report was about what these different elements do to interfere in our country and to undermine our foreign policy and to >> talked about Chinese election interference in the US and there and as we know there are many other ways in which China has influence within the US.

[00:07:58]>> Well, again, what the president put out on Thursday that was a declassification of documents from our intelligence community. That's what he put out. He declassified intelligence assessments from our intelligence community. But your question was about communist Well, it's yeah, the United States doesn't want to be a communist country. We're never going to be a communist country and we're not going to allow communist influences to undermine our politics or our society.

[00:08:19]Um so I don't know what the inconsistency you're referring to is.

[00:08:21]It's very clear. I don't you know, obviously we understand the Chinese system and other systems. But uh I can tell you our system doesn't want communism. And and we're certainly not going to allow communist efforts to undermine American society and drive wedges into our country and and that's what we're seeing. You know, and by the way, one of the leading, you know, culprits of that for many years, the intellectual authors of men particularly in our hemisphere is the Cuban regime which which our report on Monday outlined.

[00:08:48]>> I think our report is having a big impact on China.

[00:08:51]>> express concern regarding the crash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea?

[00:08:56]>> Did we discuss it with >> Uh uh uh crash between China and the Philippines in the South >> Oh yeah, it's been a high-profile issue.

[00:09:03]We've all seen it and uh you know, it's a sort of an escalatory thing that that we think is very negative and uh you know, benefits no one and obviously we've reiterated in every meeting we've had that the US has a a treaty um arrangement with the Philippines. I believe we're the only treaty partner the Philippines has. We intend to live up to our treaty obligations and I think we've done so and we'll continue to do so.

[00:09:25]>> Mr. Secretary, in terms of escalation, how difficult is it to inspire confidence at these meetings, such as the ones you've had today, that the US can bring an end, a quick end to the war in Iraq?

[00:09:36]>> Um I'm sorry, you cut it. What was that?

[00:09:38]>> Is it difficult to inspire confidence that the U.S. can swiftly and effectively end the war with >> No, I think everybody here understands that the U.S. would love to reach a diplomatic settlement. We would love to reach an agreement if it were possible with Iran that would ensure they never have a nuclear weapon and obviously help stop them and and we would love to have an agreement where they they say, "We're no longer sponsoring terrorism and we won't and we will not pursue a nuclear weapon or the things you need for a nuclear weapon." I think if there's a lack of confidence is the lack of confidence that the Iranian regime will ever agree to any of those things. Um, that that would be the lack of confidence and the bigger lack of confidence should be that they've already made commitments very recently in a memorandum of understanding and within 2 weeks have violated it. So, I think if there's any undermining of confidence, it's confidence that the Iranian system as it currently is is structured can reach an agreement. And so, you you wonder whether they're serious about an agreement in the short term. But look, we always the president always prefers to negotiate and reach a deal on these things. And we're prepared willing to do that. We've tried to do that now for a year and a half, but we're also not going to sit by and let ships be blown up or Americans be attacked.

[00:10:40]>> Do you see Iran compromising? You know Iran refuses to negotiate seriously.

[00:10:43]>> Who's this?

[00:10:44]>> If Iran refuses to negotiate seriously, what is the next step? So, more sanctions, more military actions? Are you prepared for long-term confrontation?

[00:10:53]>> Well, the president has many options available to him if they continue to insist on not being cooperative and I won't get ahead of the president on any of those, but uh I think Iran knows we have many options as well.

[00:11:03]>> The business suggested that the secretary of business suggested that Iran should be added to Russia sanctions act. Is this kind of acknowledgement of Moscow-Tehran growing alliance? Of what now? You know, are you guys acknowledging this growing alliance between the two cuz you're adding suggestion to add Iran to Russia sanctions act.

[00:11:20]>> Oh, I just think the president views this as a legislative vehicle that's going to pass in Congress and provides some more authorities to impose higher economic costs on Iran if it's necessary to do so. So, I don't think it has I don't I think it's just the bill that's moving and it's a sanctions bill and so it makes sense if you're going to add additional sanctions to do it to that bill.

[00:11:38]>> On Cuba is the goal still creating regime change through economic collapse or is the military option >> the goal is to have a Cuba where the people of Cuba can experience prosperity, safety, security and a better life moving forward. The way you know Cubans are able to do all over the world when they leave Cuba. And um we're prepared to be you know very realistic about how you do that and and patient about how you know you got in a serious process that leads to that. And we've engaged them from time to time in that regard and they know where we stand on that issue and hopefully that's where it arrives. The fundamental Cuba fundamental problem Cuba has right now is two things. Number one is their economic system doesn't work because it that economic system doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. It's completely backwards. It just doesn't work and that's why people have to leave that country. And number two, it's they're no longer getting free oil from Venezuela.

[00:12:25]That's their biggest problem. They're not getting free oil from Venezuela which by the way they weren't using for their power grid. They were taking about 60% of the free oil they were getting from Venezuela and reselling it for cash. So the biggest problem Cuba has is that their regime is a disaster. Their economic model doesn't work and the people who run the country don't know what the hell they're doing.

[00:12:45]All they're most interested in is holding on to power. They are afraid of economic prosperity because they are afraid that economic prosperity and economic liberties will they will lose control over people and that's always been the struggle they faced in recent times. But again, look we've been in Just today we began shipping over a hundred million dollars of humanitarian assistance to Cuba.

[00:13:05]Which will be distributed by non-governmental entities on the ground.

[00:13:08]So you know we're we're willing to engage with them. We've engaged with them in the past. We'll keep talking to them about the kind of changes they can make. But this is 90 miles from our shores. This is a a government that has spent in the a regime that has spent the better part of 30, 40, 50 years destabilizing the region and and and movements that they've supported. And they've lost I don't know, 10 to 15% of their population since 2021 because of how mismanaged the country is. We want it to have a better future, and we're prepared to do things that help them get there, but they have to decide they want to do that. The people that are in charge of it right now just don't want to do it. It's unfortunate.

[00:13:41]It's very sad.

[00:13:42]>> was talking about how they expected the just to follow up to see regime change or to see big changes in Cuba, economic, political, by the end of this year. That's what a lot of them were saying.

[00:13:52]>> Who's the lot of them who were saying that?

[00:13:53]>> Um people within the administration who work on this issue. Um >> Like who? Cuz I work on this issue more than anybody else. I never said that.

[00:13:59]>> it, but like there was an expectation that Cuba was supposed >> No, look, guys. I mean, you look, this this global affairs are not like we're not a mini-series, like you get in three episodes and it's over. I mean, global affairs are difficult. You're talking about a system that's been in place, you know, since 1959. You're talking about a country that's suffered tremendously because of poor leadership and a bad economic model. You're talking about a regime that survived all these years because they had a foreign sponsor, be it the Soviet Union or Hugo Chavez. They don't have that anymore.

[00:14:26]So, um you know, it's it's these are complex things that take time, and obviously we're prepared to do what we can do to effectuate a positive change in Cuba because it directly impacts our national security. Cuba matters to us because it's 90 mi from our shores, and it has a direct impact on our national security, be it the things they've been involved in in the past, the countries they've aligned with in the past, and currently, or the threat of mass migration, which is always a a risk that you run when countries are as deeply destabilized as Cuba is. It's a failed state. It's a failed state, but uh I've never laid out any timeline as to what change would look like or when it would happen. So, I wish it was tomorrow because they deserve it. The people of Cuba deserve a better future.

[00:15:04]>> Mr. Secretary, on your argument that Iran has violated the MOU, isn't the MOU inherently flawed because in paragraph five it explicitly acknowledges Iran has power in the Strait of Hormuz, whereas no other formal agreement before had acknowledged or recognized that.

[00:15:17]>> No, I don't think that's what the MOU says. Certainly, that's not the way we interpreted it from the very beginning.

[00:15:21]We understood that to mean No, we understood that to mean that they would ensure that no ships were being blown up and they chose to violate that. The MOU does not give them the right