President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly set to nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his choice for U.S. Secretary of State, a selection expected to signal a firm stance on relations with China from the start.
According to The New York Times, three sources close to Trump’s decision-making process have indicated that Rubio is his pick for the role. Trump and Rubio were fierce rivals during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, where Trump famously labeled Rubio “Little Marco.”
Despite this, Trump considered Rubio for the vice presidency, ultimately selecting JD Vance, Rubio’s Senate colleague from Ohio, for the role.
Rubio, a vocal critic of China, has supported bipartisan initiatives aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s international standing and opposing Chinese aggression toward the island. He co-sponsored legislation banning imports from China’s Xinjiang region, where forced labor concerns and human rights abuses have drawn international scrutiny.
In 2020, Rubio was among the U.S. lawmakers targeted by Chinese sanctions in retaliation for their criticism of Beijing’s actions in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. He also introduced legislation in September to close loopholes allowing China, Russia, and other U.S. adversaries to bypass tariffs.
Additionally, Trump has asked Representative Michael Waltz, a retired Green Beret and National Guard colonel, to replace outgoing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, pending Senate confirmation.
Waltz, like Rubio, is a strong critic of China and has advocated for expediting weapons exports to Taiwan to bolster its defenses.
Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, described Rubio as “one of Washington’s most levelheaded, strategic thinkers on countering the Chinese Communist Party,” while he praised Waltz for his consistent work on behalf of political prisoners and his focus on China-related issues.
Sobolik suggested that Trump’s upcoming picks for Treasury and Commerce will further signal a tough approach toward Beijing.
