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Trump taps Marco Rubio as next US secretary of state

14.11.2024 14:30
Republican Senator Marco Rubio has been named by US President-elect Donald Trump as his pick for the next secretary of state.
Marco Rubio
Marco RubioEPA/DAVID MUSE

Trump said on Wednesday he was nominating Rubio, a senior member of the Senate's foreign relations and intelligence committees, to serve as secretary of state in his incoming administration.

"He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries," Trump said of Rubio in a statement.

The choice may reassure US allies concerned that the new administration in Washington could distance itself from longstanding alliances, including NATO, given Trump’s "America First" approach to foreign policy, the Reuters news agency reported.

Rubio, 53, said on the X social media platform that "leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility," adding that he is "honored by the trust President Trump has placed" in him.

He pledged to "work every day" to carry out Trump's foreign policy agenda.

"Under the leadership of President Trump we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else," Rubio declared.

He added: "I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the U.S. Senate so the President has his national security and foreign policy team in place when he takes office on January 20."

Rubio is known as an outspoken critic of China and a strong supporter of Israel, according to news outlets.

In April, he was one of 15 Republican senators to vote against a major military aid package aimed at helping Ukraine resist Russia, according to Reuters.

In recent interviews, Rubio has said that Kyiv should pursue a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on reclaiming all territory Moscow has seized over the past decade, Reuters reported.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters