WASHINGTON — As soon as a bitter critic of President-elect Donald Trump, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida headed into his first Senate listening to Wednesday as nominee for secretary of State.
Rubio, with intensive expertise on Capitol Hill and in international coverage circles, seems to be the least controversial in Trump’s listing of Cupboard picks, lots of whom lack the credentials or background normally related to their nominated jobs.
A international coverage hawk — particularly on China — Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, appeared prone to win straightforward bipartisan approval. On Wednesday, he confronted the Senate International Relations Committee on which he has served for 14 years.
If confirmed as anticipated, Rubio would be the first Latino to function America’s high diplomat.
Previously, Rubio largely hewed to long-standing Republican views on a multi-lateral method to the world, embracing allies and united motion. On Wednesday, he echoed Trump’s “America first” philosophy.
His State Division, Rubio testified, shall be guided by a singular goal “to advertise peace overseas, and safety and prosperity right here at residence.”
“Inserting our core nationwide pursuits above all else just isn’t isolationism,” Rubio mentioned. “The postwar international order is not only out of date; it’s now a weapon getting used in opposition to us.”
China, he mentioned, is the “most potent” enemy the US has ever confronted, its “close to peer” on many fronts, together with know-how, financial system and diplomatic muscle.
“We’ve allowed them to get away with issues …. and now we’re coping with the ramifications of that,” he mentioned, advocating the U.S. should fortify its personal industrial and provide chain capabilities to stop “whole dependence … from our safety to our well being” on the communist-led nation.
Rubio, who just lately voted in opposition to an assist bundle for Ukraine, echoed Trump in saying Kyiv’s conflict with Russia needed to come to an finish. “There should be concessions made” by each Russia and Ukraine, he mentioned. Many observers fear that Trump’s affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin will result in him demanding extra sacrifice from Ukraine in any peace negotiation.
The listening to was interrupted by protesters; Rubio quipped that at the very least he will get bilingual demonstrators.
However general, the temper among the many senators was pleasant and lacked the confrontations of yesterday’s listening to of Fox TV commentator Pete Hegseth, whom Trump has nominated to be secretary of Protection. Senators questioned Hegseth about his expertise, ingesting, place on ladies in fight roles and allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied.