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Marco Rubio

The latest news on Marco Rubio, American politician and 72nd United States Secretary of State, including US politics news and updates.

Born

28 May 1971

Industry

Politics

Job title

US Secretary of State

China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, addresses the Security Council at UN headquarters in New York on February 18. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests

House Select Committee says Beijing using monetary contributions, critical UN posts and strategic troop deployment to expand its reach.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

18 Mar 2026 - 1:01PM

Fashion

Explainer | All about US President Donald Trump’s favourite shoe brand, Florsheim

17 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

2026 Trump-Xi summit

China says it’s still talking to US about Trump trip after threat to delay

Two sides still ‘in communication’, foreign ministry says, after US leader hints he could postpone visit unless Beijing helps reopen Strait of Hormuz.

16 Mar 2026 - 8:04PMvideocam

Donald Trump has called on other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

Trade talks, ‘raising lobsters’, tech earnings

This week: US-China trade negotiators ready for talks in Paris, AI agent OpenClaw sweeps China, the ‘two sessions’ ends and exports surge. Next week: Tencent and Alibaba post earnings, retail sales leads data rush, Japan’s Takaichi visits the White House and more.

13 Mar 2026 - 5:00PM

US-China relations

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

13 Mar 2026 - 6:18AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Amid China cable fallout, Chile’s president ends term, calls for unity

Undersea fibre-optic cable project linking Chile to Hong Kong enraged US, causing dispute that defined Gabriel Boric’s final weeks in office.

12 Mar 2026 - 5:08AMvideocam

Chilean President Gabriel Boric leaves the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago after his four-year term ended on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

China-Latin America relations

US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president

The US forced Chile to cancel a Chinese undersea cable. Now the region is asking who gets to decide what infrastructure Latin America builds.

12 Mar 2026 - 12:54AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s ‘feeling’-driven Iran war cops criticism for ‘arrogant’ messaging

The conflict started by the US president lacks clear rationale, stoking public opposition and economic concerns amid rising fuel prices.

7 Mar 2026 - 3:53PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Disappointing’: Americans recall desperate, self-funded escapes from Mideast

‘Everyone’s been sending each other resources because, quite frankly, the US has not done a single thing in any capacity,’ a traveller says.

7 Mar 2026 - 11:35AMvideocam

An empty terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump says Cuba is going to ‘fall pretty soon’

The president has said it is ‘just a matter of time’ before the US turns to Cuba after finishing its war in Iran.

7 Mar 2026 - 7:59AM

A woman holds a pro-Trump sign and Cuban flags during a protest against Cuba’s government in Miami, Florida, in February. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

US seen as likely responsible for Iran school strike that killed scores

A girls’ school in Minab, in southern Iran, was hit on Saturday during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country.

6 Mar 2026 - 3:32PMvideocam

Taiwan

What does Marco Rubio’s ‘unleash Chiang’ threat against Iran actually mean?

US secretary of state’s invocation of Cold War expression stirs unexpected debate in Taiwan.

5 Mar 2026 - 10:29PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers despite growing concerns

The bipartisan resolution, which failed by 52-47 votes, was aimed at stifling Donald Trump’s authority to continue military strikes on Iran.

6 Mar 2026 - 7:56AMvideocam

Democrat senator Tim Kaine, one of the lawmakers who introduced the Senate resolution, claimed US President Donald Trump had dragged the US into “unnecessary forever wars”. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:24PMvideocam

Windows, doors, and mirrors were hit by reverberations from blasts. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Donald Trump

Video | Trump seeks to justify Iran war

The US President held a White House meeting where he seemed to walk back Marco Rubio’s comments that Israel triggered the war.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:46AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Opposition leader Machado will return to Venezuela in coming weeks

The Nobel Peace Prize winner prepares for a homecoming that the acting president warns will require her to ‘answer’ to the state.

2 Mar 2026 - 10:23AM

US-China relations

As US names Tibet coordinator, is it eyeing China, its minority groups or trade?

Special coordinator for Tibetan issues says he seeks to advance US efforts to ‘preserve Tibetans’ precious heritage’.

1 Mar 2026 - 9:42PMvideocam

Riley Barnes, the new US special coordinator for Tibetan issues, has held several senior positions at the State Department. He visited Dharamsala in 2019 and also in July 2025 for the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. Photo: Handout

Iran

Trump was once not keen on regime change in Iran – then he lost patience

The US president’s risk tolerance evolved dramatically, leading to strikes on Iran’s clerical leadership, as talks dragged on.

1 Mar 2026 - 2:24PMvideocam

Middle East

Burgers, then war: Trump’s bluffs before Iran strikes

The US president gave mixed signals about whether the attack was coming, but his weekend Mar-a-Lago trip may have been the big giveaway.

1 Mar 2026 - 6:55AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy

Strains in transatlantic ties show the limits of quid pro quo diplomacy – and the appeal of Beijing’s relationship-first approach.

1 Mar 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at the Munich Security Conference on February 14 in Munich, southern Germany. Photo: Pool / AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump says US discussing ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba: ‘they’re in big trouble’

‘They have no money, they have no oil, they have no food,’ the president says, as the US puts pressure on the Communist-run island.

28 Feb 2026 - 2:52AM

Student activists Tampa, Florida, protest against the US oil embargo on Cuba on Thursday. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:03PMvideocam

Middle East

Trump says ‘not happy’ with Iran talks, US staff leave Israel over war risks

Other countries, including China, Germany and the UK, have issued warnings or relocated their citizens.

28 Feb 2026 - 5:07AM

European Union

Opinion | Europe is ready for strategic autonomy, but at what cost?

The EU post-war project left Europe lagging behind the US and China. Now, without American protection, the continent must reclaim its edge.

27 Feb 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

US-China relations

China, Russia should join US in new nuclear arms control deal: Rubio

Secretary of State says US and China now have ‘strategic stability’ in their long-fractious relationship as crucial Trump-Xi summit nears.

27 Feb 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters following meetings with Caribbean Community leaders, at Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Middle East

US and Iran wrap up talks without a deal as war risks persist

Oman’s mediator cites ‘significant progress’ in Geneva, but a massive US naval build-up keeps the Middle East on edge.

27 Feb 2026 - 4:24PM

Middle East

Iran dismisses ‘big lies’ after Trump lays out case for possible attack

US president accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, while working to build missiles that soon would be capable of reaching the US.

25 Feb 2026 - 6:08PM

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Marco Rubio

US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests

House Select Committee says Beijing using monetary contributions, critical UN posts and strategic troop deployment to expand its reach.

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | All about US President Donald Trump’s favourite shoe brand, Florsheim

China says it’s still talking to US about Trump trip after threat to delay

Two sides still ‘in communication’, foreign ministry says, after US leader hints he could postpone visit unless Beijing helps reopen Strait of Hormuz.

Trade talks, ‘raising lobsters’, tech earnings

This week: US-China trade negotiators ready for talks in Paris, AI agent OpenClaw sweeps China, the ‘two sessions’ ends and exports surge. Next week: Tencent and Alibaba post earnings, retail sales leads data rush, Japan’s Takaichi visits the White House and more.

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

Amid China cable fallout, Chile’s president ends term, calls for unity

Undersea fibre-optic cable project linking Chile to Hong Kong enraged US, causing dispute that defined Gabriel Boric’s final weeks in office.

US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president

The US forced Chile to cancel a Chinese undersea cable. Now the region is asking who gets to decide what infrastructure Latin America builds.

Trump’s ‘feeling’-driven Iran war cops criticism for ‘arrogant’ messaging

The conflict started by the US president lacks clear rationale, stoking public opposition and economic concerns amid rising fuel prices.

‘Disappointing’: Americans recall desperate, self-funded escapes from Mideast

‘Everyone’s been sending each other resources because, quite frankly, the US has not done a single thing in any capacity,’ a traveller says.

Trump says Cuba is going to ‘fall pretty soon’

The president has said it is ‘just a matter of time’ before the US turns to Cuba after finishing its war in Iran.

US seen as likely responsible for Iran school strike that killed scores

A girls’ school in Minab, in southern Iran, was hit on Saturday during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country.

What does Marco Rubio’s ‘unleash Chiang’ threat against Iran actually mean?

US secretary of state’s invocation of Cold War expression stirs unexpected debate in Taiwan.

US Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers despite growing concerns

The bipartisan resolution, which failed by 52-47 votes, was aimed at stifling Donald Trump’s authority to continue military strikes on Iran.

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Trump seeks to justify Iran war

The US President held a White House meeting where he seemed to walk back Marco Rubio’s comments that Israel triggered the war.

Opposition leader Machado will return to Venezuela in coming weeks

The Nobel Peace Prize winner prepares for a homecoming that the acting president warns will require her to ‘answer’ to the state.

As US names Tibet coordinator, is it eyeing China, its minority groups or trade?

Special coordinator for Tibetan issues says he seeks to advance US efforts to ‘preserve Tibetans’ precious heritage’.

Trump was once not keen on regime change in Iran – then he lost patience

The US president’s risk tolerance evolved dramatically, leading to strikes on Iran’s clerical leadership, as talks dragged on.

Burgers, then war: Trump’s bluffs before Iran strikes

The US president gave mixed signals about whether the attack was coming, but his weekend Mar-a-Lago trip may have been the big giveaway.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy

Strains in transatlantic ties show the limits of quid pro quo diplomacy – and the appeal of Beijing’s relationship-first approach.

Trump says US discussing ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba: ‘they’re in big trouble’

‘They have no money, they have no oil, they have no food,’ the president says, as the US puts pressure on the Communist-run island.

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

Trump says ‘not happy’ with Iran talks, US staff leave Israel over war risks

Other countries, including China, Germany and the UK, have issued warnings or relocated their citizens.

Opinion | Europe is ready for strategic autonomy, but at what cost?

The EU post-war project left Europe lagging behind the US and China. Now, without American protection, the continent must reclaim its edge.

China, Russia should join US in new nuclear arms control deal: Rubio

Secretary of State says US and China now have ‘strategic stability’ in their long-fractious relationship as crucial Trump-Xi summit nears.

US and Iran wrap up talks without a deal as war risks persist

Oman’s mediator cites ‘significant progress’ in Geneva, but a massive US naval build-up keeps the Middle East on edge.

Iran dismisses ‘big lies’ after Trump lays out case for possible attack

US president accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, while working to build missiles that soon would be capable of reaching the US.

Explainer | All about US President Donald Trump’s favourite shoe brand, Florsheim

Video | Trump seeks to justify Iran war

Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy