According to sources, Donald Trump is expected to take U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as his secretary of state on Monday (November 11, 2024).
He is the first Florida-born politician and the first Latino to serve as America’s top diplomat once the Republic President-elect takes office in January.
He is the most hawkish option on Trump’s shortlist for Secretary of State. Although he has strong competitors like North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
Mr. Rubio is known for his strong stance on foreign policy concerning America’s geopolitical foes, including China, Iran, and Cuba.
Over the years, he has softened some of his stances to align with Mr. Trump’s views. His previous influence within the Trump administration on Latin American policy also fueled the expectations.
He could take a firm stance against authoritarian regimes in the region if he takes on the Secretary of State role.
Although Donald Trump’s mind could change at any time, he appeared to settle on his pick as of Monday.
It is expected that the new administration will confront a world more volatile and dangerous than the previous presidency of Trump in 2017. The Ukraine crisis will be high on Mr. Rubio’s agenda.
Mr. Rubio, 53, has said in his recent interviews that Ukraine should come to a negotiable settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining the territories. He also voted against the $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, passed in April.
“I’m not on Russia’s side, but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement,” Mr. Rubio told NBC in September.
Significance of Selecting Rubio
The selection of Rubio as a secretary of state world carries significant implications for U.S. foreign policy due to his established positions on several critical international issues.
As he served on the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees for several years, he gained extensive knowledge of complex international issues.
His experience positions him to engage effectively with global allies and address security challenges. Rubio’s strong background would add a season hard to diplomatic efforts socially with high-stakes countries like China and Russia.
He is also known for his tough approach to authoritarian governments, particularly in Latin America. His Cuban heritage informs his staunch opposition to the Cuban regime and his advocacy for sanctions to pressure leaders in Venezuela and Nicaragua.
This approach, along with a more conformational U.S. policy towards authoritarianism, promises democracy and human rights in the region.
However, the alignment with Donald Trump’s views towards foreign policy objectives, such as scepticism towards NATO and preference for “America First” strategies, boosts his significance in Trump’s presidency.