Marco Rubio takes charge of the State Department: Five problems he faces

US: Marco Rubio is dealing with an increasing number of difficulties as he becomes the leader of the State Department.

The Significance of It

A new period of turmoil for the United States on the international scene may be ushered in by President Donald Trump’s isolationist foreign policy approach.

Things You Should Know

Rubio was approved by the Senate on Monday, making him the first member of Trump’s cabinet. With 99 senators voting in favor of his candidacy, the former Florida senator was overwhelmingly supported by his former colleagues.

Now that he is in charge of the State Department, he must deal with a number of difficulties while negotiating a challenging geopolitical environment.

Panama

Threatening to retake the Panama Canal, Trump has sparked controversy by claiming that Panama’s costs are “ridiculous” and “highly unfair.”

According to Statista, almost 14,000 ships pass through the Panama Canal each year, making it an essential commerce route. The canal, which the United States opened in 1914, offers a vital bypass for freight ships moving between the American continents, greatly cutting down on transit times and expenses.

José Raúl Mulino, the president of Panama, has refuted Trump’s allegations that China has meddled with the Panama Canal.

“We completely disagree with what Mr. Trump has stated. Mulino said this week, “First, because it is untrue, and second, because the Panama Canal is and will remain a part of Panama.”

The disagreement over the strategically significant canal has created a new point of contention between the United States and Panama.

As the country’s top diplomat, Rubio is scheduled to go abroad for the first time. Details are still being finalized, but the trip is planned for the end of January.

The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Salvador will also be visited during the trip.

“Secretary Rubio is prioritizing the region because it’s where we live,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told Fox News, adding, “We won’t continue to ignore the region as other administrations have.”

“Engaging with our neighbors is a vital element in addressing migration, supply chains, and economic growth, which are key to Secretary Rubio’s pursuit of foreign policy focused on making America strong, prosperous, and safe,” Bruce said.

The Middle East

Rubio takes on his new position in the midst of a challenging Middle East crisis. The war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas may be the most difficult of all.

Rubio has opposed a ceasefire in Gaza in the past. He adamantly refused to endorse putting a stop to combat in the area when questioned about it by Capitol Hill activists.

“On the contrary…I want them to destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on,” Rubio said in 2017. “These people are vicious animals who did horrifying crimes.”

Israel’s goal, he said, is “to destroy the terrorist organization so it may never threaten the people of Israel again.”

Rubio will now have to deal with the task of rescuing the other prisoners from Gaza while maintaining his unwavering support for Israel.

According to the State Department, Rubio called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, reiterating Washington’s “steadfast support for Israel” and promising to try to rescue the other captives that Hamas is holding in Gaza.

Ukraine

Trump’s main foreign policy priority is to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Trump had already said that he would put an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine “within 24 hours” of taking office. But when Trump took office Monday, that assertion didn’t materialize.

The Financial Times claims that Trump pushed back the timeframe to several months prior to the inauguration.

A European insider told the newspaper, “The entire [Trump] team is obsessed with strength and looking strong, so they’re recalibrating the Ukraine approach.”

Trump said earlier that week that “six months” was a more realistic timeframe for ending the conflict. Trump’s designated special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said on Fox News that the goal was to end the crisis within “100 days.”

Following Trump’s election victory in November, Rubio said both Russia and Ukraine would need to make “concessions” in order to stop the conflict and that some “very difficult choices” would need to be made.

“We do want to see that conflict end, and it’s going to require some very difficult choices,” he said.

“Russia cannot annex all of Ukraine.” The land is too large, and the Ukrainians are too courageous and fierce in their battle. “That will not occur,” Rubio said. But he said, “There’s no way Ukraine is also going to push these people all the way back to where they were on the eve of the invasion.”

Connections With Canada

The U.S. and Canada have traditionally been strong friends, but Trump has soured those ties since winning the election.

In November, Trump allegedly urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada should become the 51st state at a three-hour dinner at his Mar-a-Lago club. The stories have not been confirmed by Trudeau’s or Trump’s transition teams.

Additionally, as early as February, Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Canadian exports.

If Trump followed through on his tariff threat, Trudeau vowed his nation would retaliate. On Tuesday morning, Trudeau informed reporters that Canada provides “many of the necessary inputs that the American economy is going to need” and that he was considering Trump’s ideas “seriously.”

“We will also remain steady and strong in advocating for this incredibly successful trading relationship,” Trudeau said.

Rubio now has to keep the U.S. and Canada cordial in the midst of the conflict.

Rubio had a conversation with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on Tuesday.

According to State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce, Rubio and Joly talked about “the Trump Administration’s new approaches to key issues around the globe.”

“Secretary Rubio and Minister Joly also discussed shared priorities in the Western Hemisphere and opportunities in the U.S.-Canada relationship,” added Bruce.

China-US Relations

Since the U.S. and China have been at odds for a while, Rubio’s choice has been seen by many as an indication that Trump intends to take a tough stance against China in his second term. Rubio, one of Washington’s most vocal China hawks, has filed a number of proposals that target the Chinese Communist Party.

When he was being confirmed, he referred to China as “America’s ‘biggest threat.” Rubio did, however, add that a military battle between the United States and China would be “catastrophic” and need to be avoided.

In the days ahead, the Senate is anticipated to vote on a number of other Trump nominations, such as former Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth, who is nominated for Secretary of Defense, and former Representative John Ratcliffe, who is Trump’s choice for CIA director.