TOPIC

/ people

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

Police officers guard an area as roadblocks remain in place near RAF Fairford airbase on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Britain

UK PM says ‘strong indications’ Iran involved in bomb scare at US-run airbase

White vans seen near the RAF Fairford facility were found to be carrying a ‘quantity of petrol’, but no explosives.

1 Oct 2026 - 12:51AM

Britain

Mystery deepens over UK airbase incident as police find petrol, not explosives

30 Sep 2026 - 1:22PM

China-Latin America relations

China pledges to ‘firmly support’ Cuba as US escalates pressure on Havana

29 Sep 2026 - 5:21AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

US revokes visas of Latin American officials and others

Bolivian attorney general among those targeted in Trump administration crackdown across four allied nations.

29 Sep 2026 - 3:05PM

US President Donald Trump at a 'Shield of the Americas' meeting in New York. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

Venezuelans take to streets demanding free elections, opposition leader’s return

Supporters push for democratic transition after Maria Corina Machado is repeatedly blocked from re-entering the country.

28 Sep 2026 - 3:08PM

US-China relations

How sacred Kenyan hill became US-China minerals battleground

American and Chinese bidders are vying for rights to develop a sacred Kenyan forest rich in rare earths and niobium.

27 Sep 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | The porcupine dilemma: why US-China diplomacy is about distance, not deals

Xi and Trump’s latest summit shows the need for cooperation even as deep differences continue to shape ties between the two powers.

26 Sep 2026 - 7:51AMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump concluded a three-day summit on Friday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump’s warm welcome for Xi met with caution and uncertainty in Taiwan

Observers say elaborate ceremonies in Washington should not be seen as proof of shifting US policy towards Taipei.

25 Sep 2026 - 8:18PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

Trump’s mention of a ‘Chinese phrase’ may have puzzled some, but the US Marine Corps adopted gung-ho from the name of wartime cooperatives.

25 Sep 2026 - 6:42PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Ivanka Trump takes front-row seat to welcome Xi in dress by Chinese designer

US president’s eldest daughter had a prominent position at the ceremony and wore a striking blue outfit from Beijing-based couturier.

25 Sep 2026 - 11:39AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ivanka Trump (right) and her daughter Arabella Kushner (centre) attend a welcome ceremony for President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the White House on Thursday. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Red carpet for Xi, Trump’s US$5m helipad: US trip day 1 highlights

From first ladies Peng, Melania renewing acquaintance to helicopter that Xi likely won’t board, some highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

24 Sep 2026 - 7:50PM

US military personnel adjust the red carpet at the foot of the stairs to the Air China plane carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump grimaces, Xi unfazed during US military flyover for historic tarmac welcome

Viral reaction at Joint Base Andrews frames Chinese president’s visit as leaders prepare for crucial talks on trade and security.

24 Sep 2026 - 4:22PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

At UN, Venezuela’s acting president promises elections without setting date

Delcy Rodriguez vows ‘democratic transformation’ before the General Assembly while key rival remains exiled.

24 Sep 2026 - 10:40AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US restricts visas for birth tourism ahead of Xi’s summit with Trump

China has been a central focus of Washington’s efforts to crack down on the practice, with large-scale operations targeted.

24 Sep 2026 - 8:44AMvideocam

The visa restrictions came as US President Donald Trump arrived to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

The leader described Russia’s Putin as the ‘patient zero’ from whom the idea of war keeps spreading further.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:06AM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:42AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Brazilian leader criticises tariffs and military pressure while demanding domestic benefits from foreign access to critical minerals.

23 Sep 2026 - 2:56AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘To the victor belong the spoils’: Trump touts ‘America is back’ agenda at UN

US president casts domestic policies as a global success while addressing conflicts, China and the prospect of renewed Iran talks.

23 Sep 2026 - 1:43AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US tightens Japan, South Korea ties ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Days before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in Washington, the US underscored relations with Japan and South Korea.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:07PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, Japan and South Korea launch economic-security talks before Xi summit

Three allies target economic coercion and industrial overcapacity while reinforcing calls for stability across the Taiwan Strait.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:07AMvideocam

Donald Trump

US prepares sanctions against the ICC: sources

Trump administration readies entity-wide measures that could severely disrupt tribunal’s war crimes probes.

21 Sep 2026 - 12:43PM

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US announces AI dialogue with China, launches Board of Trade

Key outcomes released after eight-hour marathon meeting in New York.

21 Sep 2026 - 8:48PM

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng arrives to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at JPMorgan Chase’s global corporate headquarters in New York on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump claims US deal for ‘control’ of Greenland security against ‘adversaries’

US president says Washington will expand its military presence on the island; sources report the restrictions include China.

19 Sep 2026 - 6:40AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China hawks join forces in US Congress to pressure Trump ahead of Xi’s visit

Trump administration criticised for focusing on achieving economic gains from Beijing while neglecting political and human rights issues.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:16AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Why China is playing it cool despite Trump’s disruption and churn

Despite months of US ambivalence, Beijing’s patience and composure at key Washington summit can show they are ‘the new adults in the room’.

22 Sep 2026 - 9:15AMvideocam

South Korea

‘No deployment for war’: South Korea rejects US request for Iran support

President Lee Jae Myung has drawn a firm line against sending troops or assets to the Middle East, defying pressure from Washington.

18 Sep 2026 - 4:26PM

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaking during a press conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on Friday. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi to get what Trump didn’t in Beijing: a presidential airport welcome

US president will personally greet Chinese counterpart on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Washington when Xi lands next Wednesday.

18 Sep 2026 - 8:46AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China’s Wang Yi holds phone call with Rubio days before Xi visits US

Top diplomats’ call likely to have locked down final details for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first US state visit in more than a decade.

18 Sep 2026 - 12:29AMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Marco Rubio

UK PM says ‘strong indications’ Iran involved in bomb scare at US-run airbase

White vans seen near the RAF Fairford facility were found to be carrying a ‘quantity of petrol’, but no explosives.

Mystery deepens over UK airbase incident as police find petrol, not explosives

China pledges to ‘firmly support’ Cuba as US escalates pressure on Havana

US revokes visas of Latin American officials and others

Bolivian attorney general among those targeted in Trump administration crackdown across four allied nations.

Venezuelans take to streets demanding free elections, opposition leader’s return

Supporters push for democratic transition after Maria Corina Machado is repeatedly blocked from re-entering the country.

How sacred Kenyan hill became US-China minerals battleground

American and Chinese bidders are vying for rights to develop a sacred Kenyan forest rich in rare earths and niobium.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | The porcupine dilemma: why US-China diplomacy is about distance, not deals

Xi and Trump’s latest summit shows the need for cooperation even as deep differences continue to shape ties between the two powers.

Trump’s warm welcome for Xi met with caution and uncertainty in Taiwan

Observers say elaborate ceremonies in Washington should not be seen as proof of shifting US policy towards Taipei.

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

Trump’s mention of a ‘Chinese phrase’ may have puzzled some, but the US Marine Corps adopted gung-ho from the name of wartime cooperatives.

Ivanka Trump takes front-row seat to welcome Xi in dress by Chinese designer

US president’s eldest daughter had a prominent position at the ceremony and wore a striking blue outfit from Beijing-based couturier.

Red carpet for Xi, Trump’s US$5m helipad: US trip day 1 highlights

From first ladies Peng, Melania renewing acquaintance to helicopter that Xi likely won’t board, some highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Trump grimaces, Xi unfazed during US military flyover for historic tarmac welcome

Viral reaction at Joint Base Andrews frames Chinese president’s visit as leaders prepare for crucial talks on trade and security.

At UN, Venezuela’s acting president promises elections without setting date

Delcy Rodriguez vows ‘democratic transformation’ before the General Assembly while key rival remains exiled.

US restricts visas for birth tourism ahead of Xi’s summit with Trump

China has been a central focus of Washington’s efforts to crack down on the practice, with large-scale operations targeted.

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

The leader described Russia’s Putin as the ‘patient zero’ from whom the idea of war keeps spreading further.

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Brazilian leader criticises tariffs and military pressure while demanding domestic benefits from foreign access to critical minerals.

‘To the victor belong the spoils’: Trump touts ‘America is back’ agenda at UN

US president casts domestic policies as a global success while addressing conflicts, China and the prospect of renewed Iran talks.

US tightens Japan, South Korea ties ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Days before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in Washington, the US underscored relations with Japan and South Korea.

US, Japan and South Korea launch economic-security talks before Xi summit

Three allies target economic coercion and industrial overcapacity while reinforcing calls for stability across the Taiwan Strait.

US prepares sanctions against the ICC: sources

Trump administration readies entity-wide measures that could severely disrupt tribunal’s war crimes probes.

US announces AI dialogue with China, launches Board of Trade

Key outcomes released after eight-hour marathon meeting in New York.

Trump claims US deal for ‘control’ of Greenland security against ‘adversaries’

US president says Washington will expand its military presence on the island; sources report the restrictions include China.

China hawks join forces in US Congress to pressure Trump ahead of Xi’s visit

Trump administration criticised for focusing on achieving economic gains from Beijing while neglecting political and human rights issues.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Why China is playing it cool despite Trump’s disruption and churn

Despite months of US ambivalence, Beijing’s patience and composure at key Washington summit can show they are ‘the new adults in the room’.

‘No deployment for war’: South Korea rejects US request for Iran support

President Lee Jae Myung has drawn a firm line against sending troops or assets to the Middle East, defying pressure from Washington.

Xi to get what Trump didn’t in Beijing: a presidential airport welcome

US president will personally greet Chinese counterpart on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Washington when Xi lands next Wednesday.

China’s Wang Yi holds phone call with Rubio days before Xi visits US

Top diplomats’ call likely to have locked down final details for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first US state visit in more than a decade.

Opinion | The porcupine dilemma: why US-China diplomacy is about distance, not deals

In Focus | Why China is playing it cool despite Trump’s disruption and churn