In the political sphere of the United States, perhaps one of the most important appointments that can be made in the president’s cabinet is that of the Secretary of State. This is not only because this position is focused on the country’s foreign relations but also due to the fact that, the person is expected to promote that country’s interests in the world for a number of years to come. Especially attractive and controversial has been the idea of naming Federal Senator Marco Rubio from Florida as Trump’s Secretary of State. As numerous individuals acquainted with his transition team suggest, Trump is likely to pick Rubio for one of the key posts in the new administration.
This choice, however, is indicative of a reality that Trump is unlikely to stick to hard power only when it comes to foreign relations, particularly those with countries such as China, Russia and Venezuela—all of which are perceived as enemies. But at the same time this nomination prompts a number of concerns regarding the prospects of policy development in the field of foreign relations for the US, especially in connection with such topics as NATO, Ukraine, and China’s rise. This article will consider Rubio track record of foreign policy, the role he may play as the potential Secretary of state and the effect of his appointment on the US and the rest of the globe.
Marco Rubio’s Political Background
The ascendancy of Marco Rubio within the national political arena occurred rather quickly. In 2010, he was elected to the Senate, and within a short period, even before his election, he was already presented as one of the future leaders of the Republican Party. He managed to appeal to both established Republicans and the increasing Latino population thanks to his Cuban-American background, youth, and conservatism. After some time, though, there have emerged clear and bold positions on foreign policy issues core to the geopolitical ambitions of the United States and the interests of its allies.
On the one hand, domestic policy views of Rubio have even changed quite a lot over the years, while on the other hand, foreign relations have always been one of the cardinal issues for him. While he was a senator, he became known for his hawkish sentiments on China, Russia, and Venezuela. Most importantly, his views on the issues, as well as his endorsement of U.S. global leadership, positioned him as a key figure in U.S. foreign policy making not only in the party but also outside of it.
Rubio’s Foreign Policy Record: Hawkish Stance on Key Issues
China: A Growing Rivalry
Rubio has consistently taken an unequivocal stance concerning the foreign policies of different governments: the bilateral – USA – China tend to be the main focus of such policies. Ultimately this focused-on US-Chinese relations, trade and security issues, human rights concerns and regional territorial expansion by China, especially militarization of the South China region. In 2011, he co-chaired the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which was responsible for monitoring human rights abuses and formulating strategies aimed at redressing such abuses within the context of US-Chinese relations. This has not been the case in the policies adopted to engage China as a country, which have ringed more of rhetorical fighting. Measures aimed at instilling restraints on what Rubio perceives as unfair trade practices from China have always been countered even more aggressive ones.
Rubio was active in the promotion of the Senate version of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to protect the rights of any workers from opportunistic companies in the US in 2020. This act was intended to bar the entry of products from Xinjiang manufactures, where a significant population of Uyghur Muslims is situated under oppressive work conditions. The said legislation was indicative of unquestionable opposition to China; an attitude that Rubio has exhibited which he believes indicates how the USA must relate to China and more so China’s human rights abuses.
Economically, Rubio has been an active advocate of more protectionist measures that would limit trade impacts with China. Such strategies included one prohibiting the infusion of Chinese capital in the high technology industry of the United States, and at the same time supporting more nationalistic policies aimed at specific sectors for instance in AI, semiconductors and rare earths. While Rubio’s China policy bears similarities to Trump’s in dealing with the issues of China’s rising global hegemony, it is also very apparent that such leadership is required in a phase of foreign policy where China is seen as America’s elusive arch rival in all strategic engagements.
Russia: A Stalemate on Ukraine
Rubio has also played an important role in shaping the US foreign policy with respect to Russia, especially its activities in Ukraine. When the issue of Russia first came up, Rubio was very critical and aggressive, however, he has since over time revised his approaches, especially with the evolution of events with respect to the War in Ukraine. Back in 2014, Rubio was one of the most outspoken opponents of Putin’s Russia with regards to Crimea’s International borders and eastern Ukraine’s civil war. Many Russians had to do with his aggravation with the leaders of the Ukraine mainly due to his interest in large Russian regions that were rich in resources and unattached to the Ukraine. He, therefore, supported a number of sanctions which were aimed at dissuading the Russians from aggression and also called for increased efforts from the U.S. to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
As the war in Ukraine has dragged on however, Rubio can be said to have tempered his narrative in line with Trump’s that the war is at an impasse. According to Rubio, the U.S. should encourage a peace agreement, which would probably mean finding a way for Ukraine to be out of NATO but living in harmony with Russia. This is in stark opposition to the position most, if not all, members of the foreign policy elite, who advocate for more aid to Ukraine until her borders are entirely safe and her territorial integrity is guaranteed, take. Rubio’s stance is indicative of the rise of ‘America First’ in foreign policy, which has emphasized the importance of over diplomacy rather culture over military power during the Trump administration.
Venezuela: A Focus on Regime Change
Venezuela serves as one of the focus points of Rubio’s foreign policy interests. Rubio being a Cuban-American, has his own reasons to involve himself in the fight to bring democracy in Latin America especially in Venezuela and other countries that have suffered from the wrath of dictatorship. Rubio was supportive of all the sanctions that President Trump had put on the country led by Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela. He made it clear U.S. needs to act and help remove Maduro even if it meant putting a burden on the people of Venezuela in terms of economic impressment.
In 2019, Rubio played a crucial role in convincing Trump regarding the hard line policy with regards to the existing regime, including encouraged the introduction of oil export sanctions and freezing the gas pirate’s Banks assets located within the U.S. countries. Even in light of the horrific impact that such sanctions have had, Rubio still believes that the regime of Maduro must be eradicated, and does not see it as any different from any other fight against left-wing dictatorship in the Americas.
Rubio’s Evolving Relationship with Trump
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The Republican primaries in America in the year 2016 were competitive for Rubio and Trump, Trump outspokenly ridiculing him as ‘little Marco’ as covered in the primary campaign however, the two have enjoyed a cordial relationship since that time. Trump has displayed them from the onset of his presidency other than on rare occasions, when he places indisputable loyalty in those who share his views. Over time, Rubio’s stance on foreign affairs has been found to tilt more towards President Trump especially looking at issues dealing with China and Venezuela.
When they were much closer than today, one of the memorable episodes took place when in the conflict a fierce proponent pentagon’s hawkish elements recreated made in China trump’s trade with China military conflicts. Something which contradicted his earlier stance on this policy however which he eventually adopted as a pragmatic way of dealing with the rising threat of China’s economy. In addition, he has been a strong supporter of Trump’s policy toward Russia, especially concerning NATO and the war in Ukraine.
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The Implications of Rubio’s Nomination
Should Marco Rubio be named as Secretary of State, the entire perspective on American foreign policy would shift significantly. Rubio is known to have an aggressive outlook in regard to China, Russia, and Venezuela, this, however, infers that the team of foreign policy people under Trump would potentially be more aggressive in the world scene especially against nations that are authoritarian in one way or the other. On the other hand, Rubio’s position on the matter of Ukraine is more moderate – he has expressed the possibility of a compromise with Russia on this issue – and this might than low and behold be an averagely more diplomatic resolution than what the earlier statements of Trump may portray.
Also, there is no way one can avoid mentioning that if Rubio is appointed Secretary of State, it will also mean reinforcing the economic warfare against China, which will follow trade dealings, how technology is managed and investment, and military activities including the South China Sea. In addition, because of his record in support of human rights ideals especially in issues involving Uyghur citizens in China and the arrest of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy advocates, a more assertive policy might be taken against China with respect to their abuses of human rights.
Conversely, however, views on Venezuela that Rubio holds may prove to be a serious sticking point to foreign policy. Anyway, both Trump and Rubio advocate for tough policies against the dictatorship of Maduro, but their long-term sustainability and human costs of such policies remain unknown. On the one hand, a State Department under the direction of Rubio may push for persistent aggressiveness regarding Venezuela, while also there will attempt to update existing practices for achieving regime change, perhaps even with the help of the local partners.
Conclusion
The anticipated appointment of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State is a turning point in the building of the foreign policy agenda of President-elect Donald Trump. Rubio has been known to be a hawk in foreign relations particularly with respect to China, Russia, and Venezuela and so it can be expected that the Trump presidency will embrace an aggressive foreign policy and seek confrontation with militant regimes. However, Rubio’s changing mind regarding Russia as well as his ability to contain the urge to support more interventionist policies along the lines of Trump may influence the way in which the United States relates with conflicts latterly, and particularly, in Eastern Europe.
In the end, the appointment of Rubio indicates the determination to stay on course, what the contemporary orthodox diplomats would define as the ‘hardline’ leadership of the country in international relations. Whether there will be a significant change in terms of constructive diplomacy during Rubio’s reign at the State Department or he will only embellish tensions on international scene will be established later, still, one thing is more than evident: it is an interesting time to be alive when so many potentate shifts are happening in the United States, especially regarding relations towards the rest of the world, with President-elect Trump at the helm of it with Marco Rubio facilitating this external interaction.
