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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

The US Capitol stands behind an American flag in Washington. File photo: Reuters

United States

My Take | Why Western civilisation is incapable of saving Western society today

People who argue for the uniqueness and high moral standing of the West are actually weaponising it as an ideology against the non-Western cultures of the Global South.

4 hours ago

Germany

Germany’s Merz says he can’t stand applause for Rubio at Munich conference

18 Feb 2026 - 12:43PMvideocam

US-China relations

Bipartisan push grows for Quad summit before Trump’s China trip

18 Feb 2026 - 6:23AM

Canada

Canada launches huge defence plan to curb reliance on Trump’s US

Prime Minister Mark Carney has become one of the most prominent global voices criticising the US president’s administration.

18 Feb 2026 - 5:14PMvideocam

Prime Minister Mark Carney (right) tours CAE Inc facilities in Montreal on Tuesday. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

SCMP Highlights

Star Cruises apologises, China goes visa-free for UK, Canada: 5 weekend reads

From the Munich Security Conference to Star Cruises’ fiasco, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

16 Feb 2026 - 2:12PM

US-Iran tensions

Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva for second round of talks with US

Talks will centre on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, as the US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the region.

16 Feb 2026 - 2:42PM

Russia

Rubio says US not disputing report of Navalny’s fatal poisoning by frog toxin

Five European governments blamed Russia for killing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny while he was held in an Arctic penal colony.

16 Feb 2026 - 1:15PM

Alexei Navalny appearing on a screen via video link from the IK-6 penal colony in 2023. Photo: Reuters

Munich Security Conference

As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence

For long, China was a magnet for America’s rhetorical aggression. Now, it is the Europeans who are under fire.

15 Feb 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

New Zealand

New Zealand catches flak for ‘secret’ US critical minerals talks

Opposition parties accuse the ruling coalition of keeping voters in the dark, fearing a fast track to environmental damage.

15 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM

Donald Trump

‘You captured my heart’: Trump’s Valentine’s cards feature Maduro, jab at Rubio

The messages praised the president’s achievements, derided Democrats and made fun of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

15 Feb 2026 - 9:34AMvideocam

One of US President Donald Trump’s quirky Valentine’s Day cards shared by the White House. Photo: Instagram/whitehouse

US-China relations

Rubio, Wang Yi manage US-China rivalry in Munich as underlying tensions linger

Back-to-back speeches appear to continue relative thaw in run-up to Trump’s expected China trip but sharp swipes are also traded.

14 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

In their addresses to the Munich Security Conference, both US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke of the need to carefully manage differences between the two powers. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong politics

Beijing slams US, UK, Australia and EU over Jimmy Lai sentencing remarks

Commissioner’s office says it summoned representatives from the countries and bloc in Hong Kong to voice ‘strong dissatisfaction’.

14 Feb 2026 - 8:20PM

US-China relations

Future of China-US ties rests on Washington’s will, Wang Yi says in Munich

At Munich Security Conference, Chinese foreign minister also accuses Japan of ‘angry ambitions for the invasion and colonisation of Taiwan’.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:43PMvideocam

US-China relations

China and US must talk – we owe it to the world, Rubio tells Munich conference

US secretary of state reaffirms American commitment to the transatlantic alliance, saying ‘Europe must survive’.

14 Feb 2026 - 7:03PMvideocam

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the highest-ranking US speaker at the annual security conference this year. Photo: AP

China-EU relations

Farewell to the ‘unipolar moment’: Europe scrambles for footing between US and China

French and German foreign ministers revive talks with Beijing counterpart to respond to US-China divide-and-rule tactics and bolster European unity.

14 Feb 2026 - 7:50PMvideocam

Meeting in Munich on Friday are (from left) China’s Wang Yi, Germany’s Johann Wadephul and France’s Jean-Noel Barrot. Photo: DPA

US-China relations

Win-win, not zero-sum, China’s Wang Yi tells US’ Marco Rubio in Munich talks

In their second in-person encounter, the two top diplomats hold ‘positive and constructive’ talks.

15 Feb 2026 - 1:02AMvideocam

North Korea

Kim Jong-un vows ‘outstanding’ military role in new 5-year North Korea arms plan

The five-year defence plan will be aimed at bolstering North Korea’s strategic and tactical nuclear capabilities, analysts say.

10 Feb 2026 - 4:38PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

China urged to ‘harshly’ punish Panama over court’s canal ruling

Legal analyst says Beijing should ‘consider postponing arrangements’ for Donald Trump’s visit over a ruling against a Hong Kong-based firm.

9 Feb 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

100

A Panamanian court has voided CK Hutchison’s contract to run Panama Canal ports. Photo: AP

South Korea

Hope for thaw? Seoul hints at ‘new progress’ in US-North Korea ties

The official’s remarks come amid speculation that US President Donald Trump could seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

7 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

US-China relations

US accuses China of secret nuclear testing after offering Beijing arms treaty

The allegations highlight tensions between Washington and Beijing, following the expiry of the New Start arms control treaty with Russia.

7 Feb 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

Iran

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

The meeting is the first between the two sides since Washington joined Israel’s war with Tehran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.

6 Feb 2026 - 10:42PMvideocam

Officials stand inside the gate of a palace where Iran and the US held their talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday. Photo: AP

US-Iran tensions

Ahead of talks, Iran deploys ballistic missile at underground ‘missile city’

Tehran signals offensive readiness as negotiators arrive in Oman for high-stakes talks.

6 Feb 2026 - 10:38AM

Iranian missiles displayed in a park in Tehran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

US-China trade war

Exclusive | US defends new minerals alliance, rejecting claims it targets China

Washington says the Forge initiative is about securing supply chains against shocks and price coercion, not building an exclusive bloc.

6 Feb 2026 - 7:50AMvideocam

US-China trade war

US pitches critical minerals plan to allies to halt Beijing’s dominance

More than 50 countries encouraged to back US-led framework using price floors and financing to blunt Beijing’s control of hi-tech materials.

5 Feb 2026 - 7:20AMvideocam

Middle East

Trump says Iran leaders should be ‘very worried’ as talks near

Negotiations will take place in Oman, but there is disagreement over whether Tehran’s missile programme will be discussed.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:58AM

A Shahab-3 missile is displayed next to a portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran in September 2021. Photo: TNS

China-Latin America relations

Panama president defends ruling after China slams canal port concession decision

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejects Chinese criticism, arguing verdict was within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework.

5 Feb 2026 - 1:09AMvideocam

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino emphasised Panama’s commitment to the rule of law and separation of powers after the canal port concession ruling. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Trump and Colombia’s Petro appear to bury hatchet after months of tensions

US president calls Gustavo Petro ‘terrific’ after their first face-to-face encounter, following months of trading barbs.

4 Feb 2026 - 12:16PM

Donald Trump

Iran plans nuclear talks with US as Trump warns of ‘bad things’

Facing threats of potential US military action, Tehran agrees to a Friday meeting in Istanbul on its nuclear programme.

3 Feb 2026 - 6:56PM

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Marco Rubio

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | Why Western civilisation is incapable of saving Western society today

People who argue for the uniqueness and high moral standing of the West are actually weaponising it as an ideology against the non-Western cultures of the Global South.

Germany’s Merz says he can’t stand applause for Rubio at Munich conference

Bipartisan push grows for Quad summit before Trump’s China trip

Canada launches huge defence plan to curb reliance on Trump’s US

Prime Minister Mark Carney has become one of the most prominent global voices criticising the US president’s administration.

Star Cruises apologises, China goes visa-free for UK, Canada: 5 weekend reads

From the Munich Security Conference to Star Cruises’ fiasco, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva for second round of talks with US

Talks will centre on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, as the US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the region.

Rubio says US not disputing report of Navalny’s fatal poisoning by frog toxin

Five European governments blamed Russia for killing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny while he was held in an Arctic penal colony.

As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence

For long, China was a magnet for America’s rhetorical aggression. Now, it is the Europeans who are under fire.

New Zealand catches flak for ‘secret’ US critical minerals talks

Opposition parties accuse the ruling coalition of keeping voters in the dark, fearing a fast track to environmental damage.

‘You captured my heart’: Trump’s Valentine’s cards feature Maduro, jab at Rubio

The messages praised the president’s achievements, derided Democrats and made fun of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio, Wang Yi manage US-China rivalry in Munich as underlying tensions linger

Back-to-back speeches appear to continue relative thaw in run-up to Trump’s expected China trip but sharp swipes are also traded.

Beijing slams US, UK, Australia and EU over Jimmy Lai sentencing remarks

Commissioner’s office says it summoned representatives from the countries and bloc in Hong Kong to voice ‘strong dissatisfaction’.

Future of China-US ties rests on Washington’s will, Wang Yi says in Munich

At Munich Security Conference, Chinese foreign minister also accuses Japan of ‘angry ambitions for the invasion and colonisation of Taiwan’.

China and US must talk – we owe it to the world, Rubio tells Munich conference

US secretary of state reaffirms American commitment to the transatlantic alliance, saying ‘Europe must survive’.

Farewell to the ‘unipolar moment’: Europe scrambles for footing between US and China

French and German foreign ministers revive talks with Beijing counterpart to respond to US-China divide-and-rule tactics and bolster European unity.

Win-win, not zero-sum, China’s Wang Yi tells US’ Marco Rubio in Munich talks

In their second in-person encounter, the two top diplomats hold ‘positive and constructive’ talks.

Kim Jong-un vows ‘outstanding’ military role in new 5-year North Korea arms plan

The five-year defence plan will be aimed at bolstering North Korea’s strategic and tactical nuclear capabilities, analysts say.

China urged to ‘harshly’ punish Panama over court’s canal ruling

Legal analyst says Beijing should ‘consider postponing arrangements’ for Donald Trump’s visit over a ruling against a Hong Kong-based firm.

Hope for thaw? Seoul hints at ‘new progress’ in US-North Korea ties

The official’s remarks come amid speculation that US President Donald Trump could seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

US accuses China of secret nuclear testing after offering Beijing arms treaty

The allegations highlight tensions between Washington and Beijing, following the expiry of the New Start arms control treaty with Russia.

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

The meeting is the first between the two sides since Washington joined Israel’s war with Tehran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.

Ahead of talks, Iran deploys ballistic missile at underground ‘missile city’

Tehran signals offensive readiness as negotiators arrive in Oman for high-stakes talks.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | US defends new minerals alliance, rejecting claims it targets China

Washington says the Forge initiative is about securing supply chains against shocks and price coercion, not building an exclusive bloc.

US pitches critical minerals plan to allies to halt Beijing’s dominance

More than 50 countries encouraged to back US-led framework using price floors and financing to blunt Beijing’s control of hi-tech materials.

Trump says Iran leaders should be ‘very worried’ as talks near

Negotiations will take place in Oman, but there is disagreement over whether Tehran’s missile programme will be discussed.

Panama president defends ruling after China slams canal port concession decision

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejects Chinese criticism, arguing verdict was within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework.

Trump and Colombia’s Petro appear to bury hatchet after months of tensions

US president calls Gustavo Petro ‘terrific’ after their first face-to-face encounter, following months of trading barbs.

Iran plans nuclear talks with US as Trump warns of ‘bad things’

Facing threats of potential US military action, Tehran agrees to a Friday meeting in Istanbul on its nuclear programme.

My Take | Why Western civilisation is incapable of saving Western society today

Exclusive | US defends new minerals alliance, rejecting claims it targets China