Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger Meets Secretary Rubio in Washington
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Photo: BMEIA/ Gruber
On July 24, 2025, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger traveled to Washington, DC, where she met with her U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting focused not only on the strong bilateral partnership but also on the current transatlantic trade dialogue and the many global conflict situations.
“Especially in challenging geopolitical times, the United States remains a key strategic partner for Austria. This includes our shared efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as our economic relations,” emphasized Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger, highlighting the deepening cooperation between Austria and the U.S., which is based on the Strategic Partnership signed in 2019.
Regarding the recent U.S. tariff announcements directed at the EU, Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger stressed the need for a fair solution at the negotiating table. Currently, nearly 1,000 Austrian companies are active in the United States—among them Red Bull and Borealis—providing more than 60,000 jobs. These businesses need planning security for their investments. Austria currently enjoys a trade surplus with the U.S. in goods, but faces a notable deficit in the services sector.
With regard to the situation in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger underscored the crucial role of the U.S.: “The United States remains indispensable as a mediator in the Middle East. An immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas terrorists are urgently needed. Further violence will only cause more suffering. Israel must allow unrestricted access for humanitarian aid.”
On the topic of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger welcomed President Trump’s new initiatives, saying they brought much-needed momentum and sent a clear signal to Putin to return to the negotiating table. “We must work together toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. This requires increasing the pressure on Putin. Austria is also ready to contribute— including by offering itself as a venue for negotiations,” said Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger.
Finally, the Foreign Minister also pointed to Austria’s long-standing expertise in the Western Balkans, which is valued by the U.S. Austria’s goal remains to contribute to the stability of its European neighborhood in close cooperation with its partners, she said.
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