Marco Rubio said that China is the biggest threat to the United States and called for Ukraine and Russia to make “concessions” to end the war

Florida Senator Marco Rubio received a warm welcome from his Senate colleagues on Wednesday as he outlined his plans to implement the vision of “America First” of the president-elect donald trump as Secretary of State.

“I hope I can earn their support, either because they think I would do a good job, or because they want to get rid of me,” Rubio joked in his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committeewhere he served for 14 years.

But among the kindnesses, Rubio painted a grim picture of the dangers facing the United States, specifically Chinawhom he pointed out as the “greatest threat” to the nation.

For this reason, he blamed globalization, which, he said, “Now it is a weapon that is used against us”. He stated that the United States must begin putting “our fundamental national interests above everything else.”

In addition, Rubio warned that the United States must show China that it will pay too high a price if it invades Taiwan.

“I think we have to get used to the idea that unless something changes drastically, like a balance (between China and Taiwan), where they conclude that the costs of intervening in Taiwan are too high, We’re going to have to deal with this before the end of this decade“Rubio said at a Senate hearing to confirm him in office.

They were notable opening words for Rubio, who was born in Miami to Cuban immigrants and who, if confirmed, he would become the first Latino to serve as the nation’s top diplomat.

The confirmation hearing begins a new chapter in the political career of the 53-year-old Florida Republican, whose relationship with Trump has evolved over the past decade. Once rivals trading insults while campaigning for president in 2016, the two men became close allies as Trump campaigned for another term in office. White House last year.

He arrived in Washington as part of the wave of “tea party” in 2010; However, he advocated allowing a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally. But like other Republicans, Rubio’s views on the immigration have been leaning in favor of the tough stance of Trump, who has promised to aggressively pursue deportations once he takes office.

Unlike other Trump nominees, Rubio is expected to easily win confirmation, garnering support not only from Republicans but also Democrats who consider him a “responsible” choice to represent the United States abroad. Many expect him to be one of the first to be approved from Trump’s cabinet.

The Democratic Senator Brian Schatzwho served alongside Rubio on the Foreign Relations Committee, expressed hope that the Florida Republican will reject the isolationist approach of other Trump allies.

“I think Marco is a nationalist, but he is also an internationalist, and I think the challenge for him will be to maintain the long bipartisan tradition that The United States is indispensable in world affairs“, declared the Hawaii legislator to The Associated Press. “And there are Trump associates who want us to stop being the leaders of the free world. And I hope Marco’s instincts toward American strength prevail.”

Rubio’s approach to foreign affairs is informed by his years of service on the Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Intelligence panel. In his speeches and writings, he has issued increasingly stark warnings about growing military and economic threats to the United States, particularly from China, which he says has benefited from a “global world order” which he characterizes as obsolete.

China, Rubio told the committee, has “lied, cheated, hacked and stolen its way to global superpowerat our expense.”

China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday declined to comment on Rubio’s remarks.

If confirmed, Rubio will become the leader of US foreign policy, although his role will surely remain secondary to Trump, who relishes the global stage and frequently uses the bully pulpit against allies.

Even before taking office, Trump has caused anxiety in foreign capitals by threatening to take over the Panama Canal and Greenland and suggest he will push Canada to become the nation’s 51st state.

Trump has won an “unequivocal mandate from voters,” Rubio said.

“They want a strong United States. Engaged in the world. But guided by a clear objective, to promote peace abroad, and security and prosperity here at home.”

The decision of the current government to remove Cuba from the list of terrorism sponsoring countries It will likely irritate Rubio, who has long supported tough sanctions on the communist-ruled island.

On the other hand, Rubio asked this Wednesday that Ukraine and Russia make “concessions” in order to end the war.

“What Vladimir Putin did is unacceptable. There is no doubt about it. But this war must end and I believe that the official position of the United States must be that it ends,” Rubio declared during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The nominee for head of US diplomacy anticipated that ending the war “will not be an easy task” and that “bold diplomacy” will be required, but he expressed confidence that “some type of ceasefire” can be achieved if both sides are “realists”.

Rubio pointed out that “There is no way for Russia to invade all of Ukraine.””, but he also stressed that “it is not realistic” to think that Ukraine can recover the borders prior to the Russian invasion of February 2022.

“There will have to be concessions from the Russian Federation, but also from the Ukrainians. It is also important that there is a certain balance between both parties,” he declared.

Rubio criticized the Joe Biden Administration because, in his opinion, it has been sending weapons to Ukraine without “detailing what the final objective of the conflict was.”

According to the senator, Biden’s position has been to send to Ukraine “whatever is necessary for as long as it is necessary” and that “is not a realistic position.”

Rubio was initially a senator very critical of the Russian invasion of Ukrainebut voted against the latest arms package for the European country because the legislation did not include measures to restrict immigration at the southern border of the United States.

Trump, who will take office on January 20, has promised to end the war in Ukraine.

(With information from AP, AFP and EFE)