U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined The Hugh Hewitt Show Wednesday, addressing a range of pressing foreign policy issues, including China’s growing influence, tensions with Iran, the Panama Canal dispute, and immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Rubio described China as America’s biggest geopolitical challenge, stating that Beijing is determined to become the world’s dominant power. He emphasized that the U.S. must counter China’s rise on a level playing field, rather than allowing Beijing to continue violating global trade and intellectual property rules.
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“We need to engage with them because it’s irresponsible not to, but we also don’t want to live in a world where we depend on China for things that we need,” Rubio stated.
Responding to a Wall Street Journal report that a recent U.S. deal in Panama angers Xi Jinping, Rubio defended the Trump administration’s stance on the Panama Canal, which he argued has become a Chinese stronghold despite its handover to Panama.
“We built that canal, we turned it over to Panama, and we wake up one day and Chinese influence is all over it,” Rubio said, emphasizing that the U.S. considers Chinese control over key ports and infrastructure in Panama a violation of the original treaty.
While China-linked businesses have retaliated—such as a Hong Kong-based enterprise delaying a car plant opening in Mexico—Rubio made it clear that the Trump administration will not back down.
When asked if President Trump and Xi would meet to address these tensions, Rubio stated that no summit is currently scheduled, but that a meeting is likely to happen at some point.
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“There needs to be a reason behind it. We have to know what they’re meeting about and what the result will be,” he explained, emphasizing Trump’s willingness to meet any foreign leader if the outcome is beneficial to the U.S.
Rubio also discussed Iran’s continued support for the Houthi rebels, confirming that U.S. forces have intercepted missile attacks aimed at American naval ships. He reiterated Trump’s clear warning to Iran that if it directly assists the Houthis in attacking the U.S., it will face consequences.
“One thing about President Trump—when he says something, he means it,” Rubio warned, adding that airstrikes against the Houthis have been sustained and will continue until their offensive capabilities are eliminated.
Rubio reaffirmed that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a top U.S. priority. While emphasizing diplomacy as the preferred route, he warned that Trump will take action if necessary to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
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“If you force him to choose between a nuclear Iran or taking action, the President’s been clear: He will take action,” Rubio said, suggesting that the U.S. has the military capability to neutralize Iran’s nuclear program if needed.
Turning to domestic immigration policy, Rubio defended the administration’s recent deportation flights of criminal noncitizens, despite legal challenges. The Biden-era policy of halting deportations has been reversed under Trump, with flights targeting gang members, criminals, and individuals deemed threats to U.S. security.
Rubio dismissed legal challenges against the deportations, arguing that foreign policy decisions, including removals of criminal migrants, are outside the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.
“It is my view that judges do not have the right to conduct the foreign policy of the United States,” he stated.
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He also defended El Salvador’s handling of deported gang members, arguing that President Nayib Bukele’s prison system is well-equipped to handle both MS-13 members and Venezuelan cartel affiliates.
Rubio also addressed online efforts to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Israel, saying adversaries are using antisemitic tropes to undermine the alliance.
“At its core, I believe this is antisemitism,” he said, condemning anti-Israel rhetoric in elite U.S. universities as part of a broader effort to delegitimize America’s closest ally in the Middle East.
Finally, Rubio touched on China’s ambitions toward Taiwan, stating that Beijing views Taiwan’s annexation as the defining goal of Xi Jinping’s leadership. He emphasized that the U.S. strategy is to make any military action against Taiwan too costly for China to undertake.
“We do not believe the status of Taiwan should be changed by force, extortion, or coercion,” he said, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s self-governance.
Rubio closed by reinforcing Trump’s foreign policy philosophy:
- Engagement with adversaries, but on America’s terms
- Zero tolerance for violations of U.S. sovereignty or interests
- Readiness to use military force when necessary, but with diplomacy as the first option
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