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Marco Rubio

The latest news on Marco Rubio, American politician and 72nd United States Secretary of State, including US politics news and updates.

Born

28 May 1971

Industry

Politics

Job title

US Secretary of State

US President Donald Trump speaks at a mining industry round table in Washington on Friday. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

US unveils critical minerals deals in latest push to counter China

Trump administration seeks Beijing-free supply chains for key defence materials as Iran war strains US weapons stockpiles.

8 Aug 2026 - 6:58AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

US sanctions Cuba’s military representative in Beijing over China procurement

7 Aug 2026 - 10:17PMvideocam

United States

New UK foreign minister dodges questions on his past Trump remarks

6 Aug 2026 - 12:55PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US waging war on Iran not worth the cost, most Americans say in new survey

Marquette Law School poll also found 75 per cent of respondents nationwide did not believe the conflict was worth the cost.

5 Aug 2026 - 2:42PM

American forces launch strikes against Iran on July 22. Some 88 per cent of respondents to a nationwide survey believed the US had not achieved its war goals. Photo: AFP/US Central Command

Americas and the Caribbean

US revokes visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington in escalating row

State Department retaliates against Brasilia over delayed envoy approval as fractious relationship is again tested.

5 Aug 2026 - 10:49AM

United States

US State Department to close consulates in Canada, Japan and Indonesia: sources

The State Department did not confirm the closures but said it was focused on ensuring that America’s diplomatic footprint was efficient.

4 Aug 2026 - 7:21AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Trump envoy Daines to return to Beijing as US and China lock in Xi summit agenda

Montana Republican is helping narrow differences on issues expected to dominate summit planned for September in Washington, source says.

1 Aug 2026 - 6:37AMvideocam

US Senator Steve Daines has emerged as a pivotal backchannel figure between Washington and Beijing. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

Chile’s Kast courts China day after US hits exports with forced labour tariff

Chilean president, who campaigned on aligning Chile with Trump, meets Beijing delegation as his party claims Washington cannot be trusted.

1 Aug 2026 - 9:57AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China voices ‘serious concern’ over new US curbs in senior trade talks

Beijing raises objections during high-level call as both sides work towards economic outcomes ahead of an expected Xi-Trump summit.

31 Jul 2026 - 6:16AMvideocam

US-Asean relations

Inside America’s US$1.5 billion play for Southeast Asian energy

Gas exports and mini reactors serve US interests as much as Asia’s – provided promised projects actually lead anywhere.

29 Jul 2026 - 7:00PM

A power plant and transmission lines in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. The International Development Finance Corporation has reportedly held talks with Vietnam on grid modernisation. Photo: AP

Artificial intelligence

AI competition heats up as US targets Southeast Asia’s public sector

Washington’s launch of AI Spark is seen as a move to counter Chinese AI models that have made inroads in Southeast Asia, analysts say.

29 Jul 2026 - 9:30AM

An illustration of the US and Chinese AI ecosystems. Photo: Shutterstock

US-Asean relations

Exclusive | Philippines, sovereignty, Pax Silica Industrial Hub – how US’ Helberg sees it

Senior US official tackles suggestions that Manila’s jurisdiction could be eroded by a joint supply chain project.

28 Jul 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

United States

As I see it | America declares international law for thee but not for me

While the US is seeking to dismantle the International Criminal Court, it has signed a statement upholding the Hague tribunal’s South China Sea ruling.

28 Jul 2026 - 8:30PM

China-Latin America relations

Trump, tariffs and ties with China at stake in Brazilian presidential race

Polls show Beijing-friendly incumbent Lula neck and neck with Washington’s favoured candidate ahead of closely watched October election.

28 Jul 2026 - 12:57AM

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left), seen here with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May 2025, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term as leader of the South American country. Photo: AFP

Asean

Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

The additional duties come just a day after Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US is ‘with Asean 100 per cent’.

26 Jul 2026 - 11:30AMvideocam

An American Flag hangs from a crane at Port Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Friday. US President Donald Trump has slapped new tariffs on 60 trading partners. Photo: AFP

Sexual harassment and assault

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan removed over sexual misconduct allegations

The UK barrister is accused of having a non-consensual sexual relationship with a junior lawyer working at the International Criminal Court.

25 Jul 2026 - 4:36AM

China-Asean relations

China and Asean eye closer energy cooperation after latest Middle East fighting

Southeast Asia is heavily reliant on oil imports and has been severely affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

24 Jul 2026 - 7:51PMvideocam

United States

Outside In | Why Donald Trump may regret reheating his global trade war

Over the coming months, efforts to China-proof supply chains are likely to drive US foreign policy. Success, however, is unlikely to follow.

24 Jul 2026 - 8:49PM

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer departs following a Senate Finance Committee hearing on July 22, in Washington. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

South China Sea

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

Chinese coastguard use water cannon during maritime stand-off, the third with the Philippines in the South China Sea since Monday.

24 Jul 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

Malaysia

US summons Malaysian envoy over ban on Israeli citizens

The ambassador told the State Department that Malaysia’s policy of not recognising Israel was not new, the foreign minister said.

24 Jul 2026 - 1:10PM

US-China relations

Editorial | Wang-Rubio meeting after Trump remarks shows guard rail is up and working

Not even Trump’s inflammatory accusations of Chinese election interference have derailed the relationship.

24 Jul 2026 - 7:15AM

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

24 Jul 2026 - 11:38AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economies

‘Forced labour’ duties replace Trump administration’s original sweeping levies but are unlikely to generate the same level of global shock.

25 Jul 2026 - 6:38AMvideocam

US-China tech war

Can science bridge the US-China trust gap? Maybe with new rules, researchers say

Continuous dialogue and clearly defined boundaries between security and development are crucial, Fudan University researchers say.

23 Jul 2026 - 11:21PMvideocam

Hong Kong national security law

US sanctions on 39 Hong Kong, mainland officials to remain in place: Marco Rubio

President Donald Trump allowed emergency declaration to expire because ‘circumstances had changed’, US secretary of state says.

23 Jul 2026 - 9:19PMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending an Asean summit in Manila. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

On tariffs, China and US ask industry a US$30 billion question

As President Xi and President Trump prepare for an expected summit, trade officials are weighing public input on reciprocal duty cuts.

23 Jul 2026 - 8:00PM

The US and Chinese flags at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing prior to the state dinner of US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping on May 14. Photo: AP

US-China relations

China, US emphasise stability amid lingering tensions

The US and China seem to be focused on maintaining a fragile truce ahead of a September presidential summit.

23 Jul 2026 - 5:05PM

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar rejects ‘totally absurd’ US military aid threat over Israel ban

Eight lawmakers have sent a letter to Marco Rubio accusing Anwar of singling out Israelis solely because of their nationality.

23 Jul 2026 - 1:25PM

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Marco Rubio

US unveils critical minerals deals in latest push to counter China

Trump administration seeks Beijing-free supply chains for key defence materials as Iran war strains US weapons stockpiles.

US sanctions Cuba’s military representative in Beijing over China procurement

New UK foreign minister dodges questions on his past Trump remarks

US waging war on Iran not worth the cost, most Americans say in new survey

Marquette Law School poll also found 75 per cent of respondents nationwide did not believe the conflict was worth the cost.

US revokes visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington in escalating row

State Department retaliates against Brasilia over delayed envoy approval as fractious relationship is again tested.

US State Department to close consulates in Canada, Japan and Indonesia: sources

The State Department did not confirm the closures but said it was focused on ensuring that America’s diplomatic footprint was efficient.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Trump envoy Daines to return to Beijing as US and China lock in Xi summit agenda

Montana Republican is helping narrow differences on issues expected to dominate summit planned for September in Washington, source says.

Chile’s Kast courts China day after US hits exports with forced labour tariff

Chilean president, who campaigned on aligning Chile with Trump, meets Beijing delegation as his party claims Washington cannot be trusted.

China voices ‘serious concern’ over new US curbs in senior trade talks

Beijing raises objections during high-level call as both sides work towards economic outcomes ahead of an expected Xi-Trump summit.

Inside America’s US$1.5 billion play for Southeast Asian energy

Gas exports and mini reactors serve US interests as much as Asia’s – provided promised projects actually lead anywhere.

AI competition heats up as US targets Southeast Asia’s public sector

Washington’s launch of AI Spark is seen as a move to counter Chinese AI models that have made inroads in Southeast Asia, analysts say.

Exclusive | Philippines, sovereignty, Pax Silica Industrial Hub – how US’ Helberg sees it

Senior US official tackles suggestions that Manila’s jurisdiction could be eroded by a joint supply chain project.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | America declares international law for thee but not for me

While the US is seeking to dismantle the International Criminal Court, it has signed a statement upholding the Hague tribunal’s South China Sea ruling.

Trump, tariffs and ties with China at stake in Brazilian presidential race

Polls show Beijing-friendly incumbent Lula neck and neck with Washington’s favoured candidate ahead of closely watched October election.

Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

The additional duties come just a day after Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US is ‘with Asean 100 per cent’.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan removed over sexual misconduct allegations

The UK barrister is accused of having a non-consensual sexual relationship with a junior lawyer working at the International Criminal Court.

China and Asean eye closer energy cooperation after latest Middle East fighting

Southeast Asia is heavily reliant on oil imports and has been severely affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Outside In | Why Donald Trump may regret reheating his global trade war

Over the coming months, efforts to China-proof supply chains are likely to drive US foreign policy. Success, however, is unlikely to follow.

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

Chinese coastguard use water cannon during maritime stand-off, the third with the Philippines in the South China Sea since Monday.

US summons Malaysian envoy over ban on Israeli citizens

The ambassador told the State Department that Malaysia’s policy of not recognising Israel was not new, the foreign minister said.

Editorial | Wang-Rubio meeting after Trump remarks shows guard rail is up and working

Not even Trump’s inflammatory accusations of Chinese election interference have derailed the relationship.

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economies

‘Forced labour’ duties replace Trump administration’s original sweeping levies but are unlikely to generate the same level of global shock.

Can science bridge the US-China trust gap? Maybe with new rules, researchers say

Continuous dialogue and clearly defined boundaries between security and development are crucial, Fudan University researchers say.

US sanctions on 39 Hong Kong, mainland officials to remain in place: Marco Rubio

President Donald Trump allowed emergency declaration to expire because ‘circumstances had changed’, US secretary of state says.

On tariffs, China and US ask industry a US$30 billion question

As President Xi and President Trump prepare for an expected summit, trade officials are weighing public input on reciprocal duty cuts.

China, US emphasise stability amid lingering tensions

The US and China seem to be focused on maintaining a fragile truce ahead of a September presidential summit.

Malaysia’s Anwar rejects ‘totally absurd’ US military aid threat over Israel ban

Eight lawmakers have sent a letter to Marco Rubio accusing Anwar of singling out Israelis solely because of their nationality.

Exclusive | Trump envoy Daines to return to Beijing as US and China lock in Xi summit agenda

As I see it | America declares international law for thee but not for me