During his confirmation hearing as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of State, Sen. Marco Rubio identified China as the most formidable and threatening competitor ever faced by the United States. His stance on China was a significant focus of the hearing, with Rubio describing the Asian superpower as a multifaceted competitor in technology, industry, economy, geopolitics and science, making it a unique challenge. He emphasized that the U.S. must robustly counter China’s influence.
Rubio shared his belief with fellow Senators that the direction of the 21st Century will be determined by the dynamics of U.S.-China relations. According to Rubio, China possesses capabilities that were not seen in the Soviet Union, and he underscored the criticality of addressing this challenge.
The confirmation process for Rubio as the country’s chief diplomat is expected to be smooth. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in which Rubio is a member, has praised his extensive expertise in foreign policy. During the hearing, Rubio defended the decisions of his former competitor, Trump, and strongly advocated for NATO against Trump’s previous criticisms.
Sen. Rubio stated that the top concern of the U.S. Department of State under Trump’s presidency would be the U.S. itself. He drew parallels between the current state of the world and the post-World War I era, highlighting the need for the U.S. to use its strength and confidence to restore global order.
As Secretary of State, Rubio will be tasked with handling major international issues, including Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, ongoing violence in the Middle East, China’s actions against Taiwan, and its strained relationship with the U.S.
Sen. Rubio has been an outspoken critic of China in the Senate, warning about the national security risks and human rights abuses associated with the country. He also mentioned the potential catastrophe of a global conflict between the U.S. and China and emphasized the need for effective communication to prevent it.
In addition to his views on China, Rubio also discussed other foreign policy topics such as Ukraine, state sponsorship of terrorism by Cuba, the Panama Canal, and Greenland. He also addressed questions about potential conflicts of interest related to Trump’s foreign business dealings.
Born to Cuban immigrants, Rubio has had a robust political career, including a stint in the Florida House of Representatives, three terms in the Senate, and a presidential run in 2016. Despite their rivalry during the presidential primaries, Rubio endorsed Trump and has maintained a pragmatic relationship with him.
