Secretary of State Rubio Discusses China, Iran, and Ukraine on Air Force One

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, traveling aboard Air Force One to China, addressed U.S. foreign policy challenges and priorities. Rubio spoke with Sean Hannity of Fox News Channel, focusing on China, Iran, and Ukraine.

Rubio identified China as both the top geopolitical challenge and the most important relationship for the U.S. to manage. He stated that the U.S. and China have conflicting interests and that managing those differences is crucial for maintaining peace and stability. Rubio said that the U.S. will raise issues of importance and seek areas of potential cooperation with China, such as fentanyl precursor production and other shared global concerns. He stressed the importance of countries acting in their own best interests, leading to cooperation where interests align, but requiring diplomacy to address conflicts.

Rubio addressed trade, tariffs, intellectual property theft, and Taiwan as key issues in the U.S.-China relationship. He said it is not in China's interest to forcibly change the status quo, and warned that any support for Iran would harm relations with the U.S. Rubio emphasized the U.S. needs to be able to manufacture its own goods and avoid dependence on any single country.

Regarding Iran, Secretary Rubio asserted that the world, led by President Trump, could not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. He noted bipartisan and international concern over Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities He expressed hope that China would play a more active role in persuading Iran to de-escalate tensions in the Persian Gulf.

On Venezuela, Rubio stated some steady progress had been made. He said that mechanisms were created which allow oil profits to be deposited into a New York bank account, audited by KPMG, and paid to teachers, firefighters, police officers, and university professors.

Turning to the war in Ukraine, Rubio stated it was important to continue diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, noting the potential for the U.S. to mediate. He observed recent developments in Ukraine, including the growth of the countries hybrid asymmetrical warfare, and the extraordinary damage done to the Russian economy from the loss of human lives.

Rubio also spoke about a recent meeting with Pope Leo, emphasizing that the papacy is not a political office. Rubio said that while the Church consistently promotes peace and prefers to avoid wars, nation-states have an obligation to address threats to their security, even through conflict when diplomacy fails.