On November 11, US President-elect Donald Trump chose Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Cabinet pick for the Secretary of State position. Rubio is often described by the media as a "hawkish" politician for his views towards China.

Below is a summary of Rubio's views towards China through his proposed draft bills, articles, and statements.

  • On Security:
    • In 2017, Rubio submitted the Draft "South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act," targeting individuals, corporations, and Chinese companies involved in China's activities in these regions, as well as countries supporting China's sovereignty claims.
    • In 2023, Rubio argued for a clearer US commitment to the Philippines due to its geopolitical significance to U.S. and regional security.
    • In 2024, Rubio sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging the US Department of Defense to blacklist the battery company CATL due to suspected ties to the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
    • In 2023, Rubio showed his support for Taiwan through the proposed Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act, calling for an FTA and supporting Taiwan's participation in international institutions.
  • On the Economy:
    • In 2024, Rubio prepared the "World Made by China" Report scrutinizing China's "Made in China" policy. The report argued that China poses a significant challenge to the US in many industries crucial for geopolitical dominance in the 21st century. Rubio proposed revoking tax incentives for US companies investing in China and tightening controls on technology exports.
  • On Human Rights: In 2021, Rubio co-authored the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and in 2019 he sponsored the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, proposing U.S. restrictions on imports from China over human rights concerns. Furthermore, in 2020, Rubio and several other Senators were sanctioned and banned from entering China after a series of policies opposing China on human rights issues.

If Marco Rubio becomes the next Secretary of State, will the US adopt policies towards China that mirror his past views? This remains uncertain. The State Department is just one player in shaping foreign policy. Rubio's approach within the Trump administration might differ from his stance as a Senator, as he will need to weigh various national interests and collaborate with other key actors.

An original version of the article was published here.
Translated by DHKN

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-philippines-matter-america-206723 

https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-moolenaar-demand-communist-china-linked-battery-company-be-blacklisted/

https://www.rubio.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Taiwan-Relations-Reinforcement-Act-of-2023.pdf 

https://www.rubio.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Taiwan-Relations-Reinforcement-Act-of-2023.pdf 

https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-moolenaar-demand-communist-china-linked-battery-company-be-blacklisted/