The First Latin American Secretary of State
President-elect of the United States Donald Trump officially nominated Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, who will lead the next administration's foreign policy, on the 13th (local time).
On the same day, Trump released a statement saying, "Marco is a highly respected leader and a very strong voice for freedom," announcing the nomination for Secretary of State.
He described Rubio as "a strong advocate for our country, a true friend to our allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down from our enemies," emphasizing, "I look forward to working with Marco to make America and the world safe and great again."
If Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, is officially appointed after Senate confirmation, he will become the first Latin American Secretary of State in U.S. history. Rubio is considered a hawk within the Republican Party who has called for a tough stance against adversarial countries such as China and North Korea. In 2020, he co-sponsored the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, leading pressure and containment measures targeting China.
The day before, Trump officially nominated Representative Mike Waltz as the White House National Security Advisor, the top aide assisting the president in foreign and security affairs. Waltz is also a China hawk who argues that the U.S. must end conflicts with Europe and the Middle East and confront China as a "greater threat." With key foreign policy positions in the second Trump administration filled by China hawks, the U.S.-China hegemonic competition is expected to intensify significantly after the new administration takes office.
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