Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio pledged a strong foreign policy focused on American interests Wednesday during his nomination hearing for secretary of state under President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on Jan. 20.
Rubio painted a grim picture of the dangers of confronting the United States, more specifically China, which he said is the “biggest threat” to the United States.
He attributed this growing risk to the United States’ turn toward globalism, which he said “is now a weapon being used against us.” He said the United States must begin placing “our fundamental national interests above everything else.”
In his opening statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he has served for 14 years, Rubio said he sees a world in chaos where it will not be easy to restore order.
“But this can and will only happen if it is built on a simple foundation: a strong and secure America committed to the world, based on our national interest above all,” he said in written comments.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, would be the first person of Hispanic origin to hold the position of top diplomat of the United States.
“You’ve earned one of the toughest jobs in America. But after working with you for so many years, I’m confident you’re the right person. We have to confront these threats,” said Sen. Jim Risch, Republican chairman. of the commission.
“I believe you have the skills and are well qualified to serve as secretary of state,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on foreign affairs.
Rubio is known as one of Congress’ leading advocates for strong policies to compete with China. His support for democracy protesters in Hong Kong earned him Chinese sanctions in 2020, meaning he could be the first secretary of state with active travel restrictions from China.
“The Chinese Communist Party has reaped all the benefits of the post-Cold War international system, but has ignored all the responsibilities that come with it,” Rubio said. “Instead, they have lied, cheated, hacked and stolen their way to global superpower status at our expense.”
Other Trump nominees have faced heavy criticism, and even some Republicans have said they wanted more information about the former TV host. Fox News Pete Hegseth, nominated for Secretary of Defense, and former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence.
Voted against aid to Ukraine
Rubio has also faced some criticism. Some of Trump’s core supporters had seen him out of step with Trump’s “America First” approach to government. Rubio was a rival of Trump in the race for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
But his views have recently become more closely aligned with those of the party leader.
In April 2024, Rubio was one of 15 Republican senators who voted against a large military aid package to help Ukraine resist Russia, after voting in favor of aid in 2022. Trump has criticized the continued assistance Democratic President Joe Biden’s military to Ukraine as it fights Russian invaders.
Rubio has said kyiv needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia instead of focusing on taking back all the territory Moscow has taken over the last decade.
Trump’s selection of a vehement critic of Cuba’s communist government as top diplomat also indicated that he will continue his first-term policies of rolling back former Democratic President Barack Obama’s efforts to ease relations with the island.
Rubio has strongly supported Israel. Last year, he said he would not call for a ceasefire in Gaza and believed Israel should destroy “all elements” of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. “These people are vicious animals,” he added.
[Con información de Reuters y The Associated Press]
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