On Wednesday, November 13, President-elect Donald Trump officially announced the nomination of senior Senator Marco Rubio as the Secretary of State pick. Rubio, known for his hawkish stance towards the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has been sanctioned twice by the CCP and has introduced and supported legislation for U.S. military support to Taiwan.
Rubio served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has made speeches on international conflicts. He is considered a foreign policy “hawk,” advocating a tough stance towards Iran and the CCP.
Rubio’s position on U.S.-China relations, CCP, Taiwan policy, and other major global issues can be reviewed through his own statements.
He will also become the first Latino Secretary of State.
Since winning his Senate seat in 2010, Rubio has been outspoken in criticizing the CCP. He has publicly discussed CCP’s military and political goals, economic strength, and the U.S. response to China’s increasing influence.
In a 2022 discussion with the Heritage Foundation, Rubio stated that the Chinese Communist Party has hidden its ambitions to reshape the global order and become a hegemon for decades. However, he emphasized that they no longer conceal these ambitions.
During the same speech, Rubio pointed out, “The most serious threat facing America today, defining this century and the challenge for every generation here, is not climate change, a pandemic, or the leftist version of social justice. The threat of this century is China (CCP).”
In September of this year, Rubio wrote in a commentary for The Washington Post that the CCP is the “biggest and most severe adversary that America has ever faced.”
Discussing the CCP’s “Made in China 2025” plan, Rubio urged the U.S. to develop a new industrial policy to prevent communist China from “completely surpassing the United States” in the next decade.
“Most importantly, American policymakers cannot take lightly the biggest and most severe adversary America has ever faced,” wrote Rubio.
Some of Rubio’s views on trade and economics align with Trump’s tough rhetoric on trade issues with China. During his campaign, Trump said he planned to impose high tariffs on China to boost American businesses.
The CCP also took notice of Rubio. He has been sanctioned twice or put on a blacklist by the CCP. The first was in retaliation for the U.S. actions against the widespread detention and abuse of Uighurs by senior CCP officials, and the second was because Rubio supported U.S. sanctions against CCP officials cracking down on Hong Kong protests. Rubio accused the CCP of conducting a “horrific genocide” against the Uighurs.
Rubio also staunchly defends Taiwan.
This summer, Rubio wrote on X platform, “Communist China is not, and will never be, a friend of democratic nations.” “The international community must continue to stand with Taiwan to defend its sovereignty and freedom.”
At the mid-July Republican National Convention, he clearly stated his position, saying he hoped Trump, if re-elected, would “continue to do what he did in his first term, which is… continue to support Taiwan.”
In May 2022, Rubio introduced the “Taiwan Security Enhancement Act,” which aims to expedite U.S.-Taiwan military coordination. Talking about the bill, Rubio said, “Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is not the first time a totalitarian regime has invaded a neighboring country, unfortunately, it will not be the last. Taiwan may face invasion by (CCP) in the next decade. Taiwan needs our support, and my bill will make Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party think twice before launching a foolish invasion. We must make every effort to prevent an attack on Taiwan, or we may lose the Indo-Pacific region.”
If confirmed, Rubio’s tenure as Secretary of State will coincide with a tense period in the Indo-Pacific region, as U.S. officials prepare to counter the CCP’s preparations to seize Taiwan by 2027.
Rubio has long urged a swift end to the over two-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“We do want to see this conflict end, but that’s going to require some very difficult choices,” Rubio said earlier this month.
Earlier this year, he voted against a $6 billion military aid package to Ukraine.
“I think the people of Ukraine have shown tremendous courage and resolve in fighting against Russia,” he said earlier this month, “but ultimately, we’re here funding a stalemate war, and that war has to end, or this country will turn back 100 years.”
Rubio stated earlier this week, “The future of the 21st century will largely depend on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. I think China (CCP) would rather see us embroiled in a conflict in Europe than pay attention to the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.”
When asked whether he supported ending the fighting in Gaza by Capitol Hill activists, Rubio firmly said no.
“On the contrary… I want them (Israel) to destroy every Hamas member they can reach,” Rubio said, “These people have committed horrendous crimes.”
Rubio stated that Israel’s goal in the conflict is to “destroy the terrorist organization so it will never threaten the people of Israel again.”
Rubio labeled Iran as a “terrorism” regime. Earlier this year, he urged Israel to respond to Iranian attacks with force after being attacked by Iran.
“Israel should respond to Iran as we responded to a country that fired 180 missiles at us,” Rubio wrote on social media.
Before being appointed Secretary of State, Rubio had stated that the Trump administration would be “very clear and firm” in addressing the Iran issue.
*This article referenced reports from Business Insider and the BBC*