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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

last updated:

25 January, 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks upon arrival at the State Department in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

United States

US freezes foreign aid after Trump orders review

Waivers have been issued for military financing for Israel and Egypt, but Ukraine was not mentioned.

25 Jan 2025 - 6:57AMvideocam

US-China relations

What did Rubio say about Taiwan independence? US, China at odds

26 Jan 2025 - 1:21AMvideocam

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US-China relations

What does China have to do with Marco Rubio’s trip to Latin America?

23 Jan 2025 - 10:06PMvideocam

South China Sea

Rubio backs Manila, condemns Beijing’s ‘dangerous’ actions in South China Sea

The US secretary of state opens his term by reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the Philippines and other regional allies.

23 Jan 2025 - 6:25PM

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. Photo composite: AFP / AP

US-China relations

With China in focus, Rubio hosts Quad meetings on first day as top US diplomat

First meeting of Trump presidency for security group focused on Indo-Pacific voices opposition to altering status quo ‘by force or coercion’.

22 Jan 2025 - 7:44AM

Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration

Marco Rubio wins unanimous US Senate approval to be secretary of state

Marco Rubio, who succeeds Antony Blinken, is known for his hawkish stance toward Latin American authoritarian states and China.

21 Jan 2025 - 12:09PMvideocam

Icons and Influencers

Meet Jeanette Rubio, wife of Trump’s new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio

Jeanette met Marco when she was 17 and they dated for years before marrying in 1998; she once worked for billionaire Norman Braman, but her career is now taking a back seat as she raises her children.

16 Jan 2025 - 6:01PM

Marco Rubio and wife Jeanette Rubio in Washington. Photo: @jeanettedrubio/Instagram

North Korea

Nuclear arms Kim Jong-un’s ‘insurance policy’ to stay in power, Rubio says

Trump’s secretary of state pick said the incoming administration would consider ‘broader’ policies to deal with ‘dictator’ Kim.

16 Jan 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

US-China relations

US secretary of state nominee Rubio echoes Trump’s Panama Canal China concern

In nomination hearing, Rubio also slams Beijing’s ‘violation’ of Hong Kong’s autonomy and asserts ‘national defence’ component of Taiwan Relations Act.

16 Jan 2025 - 10:41AMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump’s pick of Rubio as top US diplomat leaves Latin America bracing

Long-time outspoken China critic raises concerns in region he might press governments to choose sides between Washington and Beijing.

31 Dec 2024 - 3:29AMvideocam

Donald Trump and Marco Rubio share the stage at a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 4, a day before the former US president won a second term. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Beijing mulls options as China hawk Rubio awaits top US diplomat post

China has choices to counter confrontation from Trump’s pick for secretary of state, but experts say broader challenge is next cabinet’s hardline posturing.

2 Dec 2024 - 10:59PMvideocam

US Senator Marco Rubio, US president-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the next secretary of state, has an established track record as a hardliner towards China. Photo: AP

Hong Kong politics

China hawk Rubio set to take hard line on Hong Kong but Beijing ready: experts

Donald Trump’s pick for US secretary of state previously had a key role in getting bills against Hong Kong passed.

15 Nov 2024 - 4:28PM

US presidential election 2024

Trump picks China critic Rubio as secretary of state, Gabbard as intel chief

President-elect Trump calls Marco Rubio a ‘fearless warrior’, praises Tulsi Gabbard’s ‘fearless spirit’ in announcements.

14 Nov 2024 - 8:52AMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump eyes Rubio for top diplomat. Will China sanctions create chaos for ties?

Analysts say if Donald Trump picks Marco Rubio for US secretary of state, it could signal more ‘confrontational’ approach to diplomacy.

12 Nov 2024 - 10:54PMvideocam

Marco Rubio (right) is one of the most outspoken US senators on a wide range of issues that Beijing considers sensitive. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump expected to choose Marco Rubio as secretary of state

The Florida senator has taken an aggressive stance on China’s emergence as an economic power.

12 Nov 2024 - 2:09PM

Donald Trump and US Senator Marco Rubio on the campaign trail. Photo: AFP

US-China tech war

Chinese electric car battery maker CATL targeted in US bill blocking tax credits

The bill comes after Ford Motor struck a deal with CATL as part of a plan for a US$3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan.

10 Mar 2023 - 1:00PMvideocam

US midterm elections 2022

Marco Rubio, long-time critic of China, wins 3rd US Senate term

Republican US senator holds a key seat as the Republican Party tried to regain control of a closely divided Senate.

9 Nov 2022 - 2:25PM

International Property

The Chinese are snapping up more US homes than other nationalities

Buyers from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan spent US$6.1 billion on property purchases in the 12 months to March 2022, up 27 per cent year on year, the NAR said.

20 Jul 2022 - 1:25AMvideocam

Miami’s South Beach is seen in Florida. Florida was the top destination for foreign buyers of US property. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

US senator puts hold on Biden’s ambassador pick for China

Republican Senator Marco Rubio said Nicholas Burns, Joe Biden’s nominee to be ambassador to Beijing, doesn’t understand the threat posed by China’s leaders.

17 Nov 2021 - 1:37PMvideocam

Huawei

US Senator Marco Rubio wants Huawei spin-off Honor blacklisted

Rubio’s call for Honor to be blacklisted comes nearly a year after Huawei sold the budget smartphone brand, again giving it access to US technologies like advanced semiconductor chips.

15 Oct 2021 - 10:26AMvideocam

TikTok

Marco Rubio pushes for TikTok block after Chinese government buys stake

Republican Senator Marco Rubio called for a block on short-form video app TikTok in the US after China took an ownership stake in a key subsidiary of ByteDance.

18 Aug 2021 - 10:28AMvideocam

Republican Senator Marco Rubio has called TikTok to be blocked in the United States after China’s internet watchdog took a 1 per cent stake in a key subsidiary of ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS

US-China relations

Lawmaker seeks to ban Chinese firms from US capital markets

Senator Marco Rubio is preparing bill against companies that engage in spying, human rights abuse or support China’s military.

2 Jul 2020 - 9:07PM

US senator Marco Rubio has spearheaded various anti-China initiatives, including legislation to sanction Beijing for its repression of Uygurs. Photo: Reuters

Xinjiang

Rubio urges US Congress to pass Uygur bill to counter Xinjiang crackdown

Republican senator says human rights issues should not be overlooked for the trade deal or ‘intermingled’ with geopolitical issues.

17 Feb 2020 - 8:36PMvideocam

Hong Kong protests

Trump likely to sign Hong Kong democracy bill, sponsor Rubio says

‘My understanding is that they will sign’ the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, senator tells CNBC. Pundits say the president is in no position to push back, even if signing the bill complicates his effort to end the trade war.

23 Nov 2019 - 2:40PMvideocam

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong democracy bill sponsor claims ‘significant progress’ in US Senate

Rubio claims progress after meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Hong Kong democracy bill but offers no details

14 Nov 2019 - 10:44AM

US Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, is a sponsor of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. Photo: Reuters

MSCI

Rubio duels with MSCI over investors’ money in Chinese stocks

Rubio’s pressure on MSCI is part of a larger campaign by US lawmakers to slow the spigot of money that has flowed from US investment funds into Chinese companies.

22 Oct 2019 - 3:54PM

Trader Peter Tuchman on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, July 8, 2019. Photo: AP

MSCI

US Senator Marco Rubio ‘confronting Beijing’s predatory behaviour’

Senator Marco Rubio says he is building on Trump administration’s efforts ‘confronting the Chinese government and Communist Party’s predatory economic behaviour’.

22 Jun 2019 - 7:15AMvideocam

MSCI

US senator asks MSCI about inclusion of Chinese shares in benchmark

The letter forms part of a broader push by Rubio and other Washington lawmakers to crack down on Chinese companies operating in the US equities markets.

14 Jun 2019 - 2:47PMvideocam

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