Reuters. Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio promised a robust foreign policy focused on American interests at his nomination hearing on Wednesday (January 15) for secretary of state under President-elect Donald Trump who takes office on January 20.
A China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, the 53-year-old Rubio is expected to comfortably win confirmation by the full Senate.
Democrats backed him as soon as Trump announced his nomination to become the top U.S. diplomat, a sharp contrast with some more controversial nominees who drew scepticism even from Trump's own party.
Rubio addressed major foreign policy issues in a friendly hearing before a committee where he has served for 14 years. He had harsh words for China and said an end to the war in Ukraine was essential with both sides making concessions.
In his opening statement to 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.
Rubio warned that the United States must change course to avoid becoming more reliant on China and do more to discourage Beijing from invading Taiwan, as he promised a robust foreign policy focused on American interests.
Rubio is one of Congress' leading advocates for strong policies to compete with China.
His support for Hong Kong democracy protesters earned him Chinese sanctions in 2020, meaning he could be the first secretary of state under active Chinese travel restrictions.
On the subject of Israel's war in Gaza, Rubio, who has strongly backed Israel, denounced the International Criminal Court for issuing an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's conduct in its war with Palestinian militant group Hamas, and warned that the court could at some point try to prosecute U.S. leaders.
The son of immigrants from Cuba, Rubio would be the first person of Hispanic origin serving as the top U.S. diplomat.
