Marta Hychko08:16, 12.11.24

3 min.4823

While the Republican is capable of changing his mind frequently, in the case of this post, his decision is final, sources said.

Donald Trump plans to nominate Senator Marco Rubio for the position of Secretary of State, Reuters writes with reference to sources.

If approved, Rubio would be the first Latino to hold the post and the country’s top diplomat in the new Trump administration, which takes office in January. Rubio, who is known for his tough stances on China, Iran and Cuba, was the most aggressive candidate on Trump’s slate for secretary of state.

In recent years, Rubio has adapted his views to the more restrained foreign policy of Trump, who criticizes former US presidents for dragging America into long and costly wars. Although Trump is prone to frequent decision-making, sources confirm that this time the choice is almost final.

The new administration will have to operate in conditions of heightened global instability, particularly due to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as China’s rapprochement with Russia and Iran. The war in Ukraine will be an important area on Rubio’s agenda. He recently said that Ukraine should seek a diplomatic settlement with Russia, rather than focusing on returning all territories. Rubio was also one of 15 Republicans who voted against the $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

Rubio’s likely appointment reflects a shift in the Republican foreign policy line under Trump. Once known for its strong support for military intervention, the Republican Party is now increasingly advocating restraint in foreign policy, especially in Europe, where many Republicans express dissatisfaction with insufficient contributions from NATO allies.

Rubio’s election to the key post could also boost Trump’s support among Latino voters, who have increasingly voted Republican in past elections. According to Mauricio Claver-Carone, former National Security Council assistant for Latin American affairs, the appointment could be a historic moment for the region.

Rubio has extensive experience in the international arena. As one of China’s fiercest critics in the Senate, he has called for an investigation into Chinese company ByteDance’s acquisition of the TikTok platform, which has raised national security concerns. He also criticized the Biden administration, calling for a ban on sales of Huawei equipment.

Due to his Cuban roots, Rubio actively opposes the normalization of relations with Cuba and takes a hard line against the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela, which is completely in line with Trump’s views.

(c)UNIAN 2024