Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader held a joint news conference where Secretary Rubio announced the signing of a waiver to allow federally funded programs to continue in the area amid a funding freeze from the Trump administration. He and President Abinader also discussed rare earth elements discovered in the Dominican Republic, which they said could be beneficial in the development of new technology. They also discussed tension in Haiti as that country dealt with a rise in gangs and drugs. The visit with President Abinader marked the end of Secretary Rubio's first international trip in his new office.