Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican and President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State, addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a confirmation hearing on Wednesday. In his statement, he emphasized the urgent need for the United States to alter its economic reliance on China. Rubio expressed concerns over China's methods of ascending to global superpower status, suggesting that the rise was neither legitimate nor fair.
During the hearing, Rubio highlighted the breadth of U.S. dependence on China, citing blood pressure medicine as a prime example of essential goods imported from the nation. He articulated the broader implications by stating:
"Everything from the blood pressure medicine we take to what movies we get to watch and everything in between, we will depend on China for it."
Rubio's remarks underscored his belief that China's ascent involved dishonest practices, including cheating, hacking, and theft. He argued that such activities undermined fair competition and stressed that they should not form the basis for China's status as a global power.
The senator called for a strategic shift in U.S. foreign policy, urging lawmakers to prioritize safety, strength, and prosperity over economic dependency. Rubio's agenda centers on making the country more secure and robust by decreasing reliance on Chinese goods and services.
His comments resonated with his overarching goal of transforming U.S. economic policies to foster domestic growth and protect national interests. As part of this transformation, Rubio advocated for redefining international partnerships and trade agreements that align with American values and economic goals.