Trump's Top Diplomatic Priority is 'Containing China'... US Secretary of State's First Schedule is the Quad Meeting

Mark Rubio, a "China Hawk," Appointed as Secretary of State
Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting with Japan, Australia, and India
Trump's Second Term to Leverage the Quad as a Tool to Counter China

Mark Rubio, the Secretary of State in the second term of the Donald Trump administration in the United States, begins his first official schedule with a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Quad alliance countries. This move is analyzed as indicating that the top diplomatic priority of Trump's second term is to curb China's influence.

On the 21st (local time), Secretary Rubio will hold talks with the foreign ministers of Japan, Australia, and India at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. The meeting will start at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

In an interview with NBC News that morning, Secretary Rubio said, "Today, we will hold a Quad meeting with the foreign ministers of Australia, India, and Japan," adding, "Through this, we will reaffirm the importance of cooperating with global allies on issues important to the United States and Americans."

The Quad is a security consultative group among the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. It was launched in 2007 under U.S. leadership to counter China. After Australia withdrew, the group ceased activities after one year but resumed in 2017 during Trump's first term. With Secretary Rubio starting his first official schedule with the Quad foreign ministers' meeting, there is growing anticipation that President Trump will actively utilize the Quad as a lever to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region. Previously, China criticized the four Quad countries for attempting to create an "Asian NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)."

Foreign media, citing sources, reported that the Quad foreign ministers' meeting on this day could lead to a Quad summit early in President Trump's term.

Known as a "China hawk," Secretary Rubio confirmed the diplomatic stance of prioritizing U.S. national interests upon his inauguration.

He took the oath of office in front of Vice President J.D. Vance at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House, stating, "President Trump's main diplomatic pledge is to make the United States and the advancement of national interests the Department of State's priority." He further explained, "Everything the State Department does must answer three questions: Does it make us stronger, does it make us safer, and does it make us more prosperous?"

Earlier, President Trump declared through an executive order directed at the State Department that U.S. foreign policy prioritizes protecting America's core interests and putting the United States and Americans first. He instructed the Secretary of State to prepare policy, personnel, and operational guidelines consistent with an America-first foreign policy.

Meanwhile, in the NBC interview, Secretary Rubio emphasized that all parties need to make concessions for peace in Ukraine. When asked about the situation where Russia retains Ukrainian territory without any cost, he responded that Russia has already paid a price through sanctions, high inflation, and human casualties.