TOM LLAMAS
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OK, Mr. Secretary, we thanks a lot in your time.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Thanks.
TOM LLAMAS:
I do need to begin by asking you — are you shocked that you just’re even right here in China as a U.S. senator? You realize, you had been sanctioned by China due to what you stated speaking about China’s report when it got here to human rights abuses. You have got by no means shied away from that. Do you continue to really feel the identical manner now that you just’re on this nation?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Yeah, I imply, the distinction is my job now could be now not simply to be a senator. My job is a unique job. I’m the chief diplomat of the nation, and I execute on the president’s international coverage.
The second factor I might say is, regardless of that, even in my time within the Senate, I might all the time acknowledge that the USA and China must have a relationship. It’s the 2 largest economies on this planet, most likely the 2 strongest militaries on this planet, and I feel it’s irresponsible for us to not have direct dialogue with them. And areas the place we are able to discover mutual cooperation, I feel we are able to —
There’s most likely just about no downside on this planet that we are able to’t resolve if we work collectively on it. There’s — however with two massive, highly effective nations like this, there’s all the time going to be irritants. There’s all the time going to be areas of disagreement, and it’s our job, for the sake of our respective nations, however finally for the world, for the sake of the world, to attempt to handle these areas of distinction.
You realize, they’ve acquired crimson traces and issues they by no means need to discuss, however we now have them as nicely. And our job is to do and to advertise the insurance policies which are in the perfect curiosity of the USA.
TOM LLAMAS:
So for our viewers at house, there’s a lot occurring on this planet, and the world is watching what’s taking place right here. What’s the primary takeaway you possibly can inform our viewers at house? What was negotiated, what’s been determined, and the way is it going to vary their lives again in America?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, at the start, a part of the issue we’ve confronted in the USA for a very long time is we’ve allowed our nation to be deindustrialized. If you consider factories, manufacturing, all types of key industries which have left the nation, lithium batteries, that’s one thing America invented, and China now dominates that market.
So I all the time stated it, and I all the time stated it once I was within the Senate, China is doing what I might do if I had been Chinese language — If I had been a Chinese language chief. They’re attempting to dominate the world in all these key industries of the longer term. We could not prefer it, however that’s what they’re going to do, as a result of they’re performing of their greatest curiosity.
We now have to behave in our greatest curiosity. I’m the secretary of state of the USA, and earlier than that, as you identified, a senator for the USA, I work for the president of the USA. Our job is to advertise the pursuits of our nation and to carry again — carry again as many these industries as potential.
So the areas we’re all the time going to be speaking to them about are unfair competitors, you understand, their management of essential provide chains. There’s so many essential provide chains that we’re reliant on, not simply us, the world is overly reliant.
So I feel what you’ll see in consequence — two issues, I feel, are ensuing right this moment: There’s some settlement they’re going to purchase extra of sure issues, which is essential, like American airplanes, American jet engines.
However I feel the opposite factor that’s essential for us is to maintain up the work of reindustrializing America, bringing again to the USA these industries which are key to us. The Chinese language usually are not going to love it, as a result of they need to dominate these industries, however that’s what’s good for the American folks.
The second level is simply that engagement between the presidents of the respective nations is critically essential, as a result of they had been in a position to discuss in regards to the Straits of Hormuz, we had been in a position to discuss North Korea, we had been in a position to discuss all these different components of the world the place China performs a job as nicely.
TOM LLAMAS:
So simply to nail down some specifics right here — we’re speaking about buying Boeing airplanes, and there’s additionally been some stories about beef as nicely. Is there something you possibly can share?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
I feel the main points will probably be introduced later right this moment. I don’t need to get forward of the particular announcement by the commerce consultant.
However there are going to be some agricultural purchases, that are essential for our growers — and China wants these issues. We hope sooner or later to broaden it to vitality purchases. You realize, the USA is a internet provider of vitality, and on this planet, we’re one of many world’s, if not the world’s, largest vitality suppliers at this level.
Clearly, with regards to airplanes and engines, these are American factories and American staff which are making that, so anytime you possibly can acquire entry to a market as giant as this one, that’s a really constructive factor. However there’s loads of work but to be finished.
TOM LLAMAS:
The CEO of Nvidia is right here with you guys who traveled with the president on Air Drive One. Had been AI chips mentioned in any respect?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Within the context of the president’s dialog with President Xi?
TOM LLAMAS:
Yeah
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
No, we didn’t get into the extent of specificity. I imply, on the finish of the day, the USA stays a dominant participant within the area of AI and within the area of semiconductors and chips. That stated, you understand, the Chinese language are investing billions and billions of {dollars} in their very own trade, in order that’s going to be an space of competitors.
TOM LLAMAS:
Do you suppose AI chips needs to be bought to China?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, I feel — as you’ve seen — the president has introduced that sure chips may be bought. Clearly, it’s as much as the Chinese language to just accept it, however I feel we all the time have to ascertain our space of dominance, in essence, the leading edge, the issues that give us a bonus.
It might be dumb for us to promote that to anybody, particularly a rustic that would reverse engineer it and leapfrog it. So I feel that’s understood maturely talking. There are issues the USA nonetheless has dominant place in, and from our nationwide safety perspective, we should always maintain that dominance. We need to maintain that dominance. The Chinese language are going to do their greatest to catch us and even surpass us. We shouldn’t make it straightforward for them the best way we form of did for 20 years, once we kind of had a unique view of this relationship.
TOM LLAMAS:
I need to learn you one thing out of your counterpart, the international minister, has put out an announcement which you will have seen, you could haven’t seen. I need to ensure you hear about it. He says, quote, Taiwan independence and cross-strait peace are as irreconcilable as fireplace and water. Safeguarding peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait is the most important frequent denominator between China and the US. And once more, the context of all that is that President Xi pressured to President Trump that the Taiwan query is crucial problem in China-US relations. Speak to me about that second when that was mentioned.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly they actually really feel that manner. They usually all the time elevate that problem. And we perceive they elevate that problem. From our perspective, any compelled change in the established order and the scenario that’s there now can be dangerous for each nations. One of many issues the Chinese language emphasize, which we agree, is strategic stability in our relationship, a constructive relationship, but in addition one which establishes strategic stability in order that we don’t have misunderstandings that would result in broader battle. And so we all the time reiterate the purpose — we hear them after they say this, we all the time reply by saying something that might compel or power a change in what we now have now can be problematic and that we would definitely, our insurance policies on that haven’t modified. It’s been fairly constant throughout a number of presidential administrations and stays constant now.
TOM LLAMAS:
Did President Xi request to President Trump to not promote weapons to Taiwan?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, that matter could have been — has been mentioned previously. It didn’t characteristic primarily in right this moment’s dialogue. We all know what their place on that’s already. Keep in mind, Congress performs a job in that, in that course of as nicely, and we now have bought them weapons previously. That’s existed as just lately as December, which they had been very upset about. And that’s a call the president will get to make as Congress appropriates, and as Congress decides what to do with these matters, we’ll reply accordingly.
TOM LLAMAS:
However nothing has modified in the best way the U.S. views the connection with Taiwan. It’s going to defend Taiwan, as has been traditionally?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Yeah, U.S. coverage on the difficulty of Taiwan is unchanged as of right this moment, and as of the assembly that we had right here right this moment, it was raised. They all the time elevate it on their facet. We all the time clarify our place, and we transfer on to the opposite matters. We all know the place they stand, and I feel they know the place we stand.
TOM LLAMAS:
Do you suppose China needs to invade Taiwan?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, I feel China’s desire might be to have Taiwan willingly, voluntarily be a part of them in an ideal world. What they might need is a few vote or a referendum in Taiwan that agrees to fold in. I feel that’s what they would favor. Finally, it’s featured prominently in President Xi’s mandate. Within the time he’s been in workplace, he’s made clear that what they name reunification, that’s what they name it, is one thing that has to occur sooner or later. We predict it could be a horrible mistake to power that by way of power or something of that nature. It might there can be repercussions for that globally, not simply from the USA, and we form of go away it there. That kind of ambiguity is what — I feel has outlined our charac — the best way we characterize this problem. And the reason is strategic ambiguities. We don’t need to see battle. We don’t need to see one thing disruptive occur, as a result of I feel it could be very disruptive for the world and for each nations.
TOM LLAMAS:
I do know you’re watching China — do you suppose they’re ramping up their army
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Certain.
TOM LLAMAS:
to do one thing in Taiwan?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
I feel they’re ramping up their army generally. I imply, I imply the tempo of progress within the Chinese language army over the past 10 years has no precedent, none. I imply, simply what they’ve finished with their navy alone, over the past — they put billions and billions and billions of {dollars} of their system. So it’s, you understand, you take a look at it, it’s onerous to disregard how briskly and the way massive — So I don’t suppose it’s simply restricted to Taiwan. I feel they’ve ambitions to finally be capable of challenge energy globally the best way the U.S. does now. They’re nonetheless behind us in that regard, however there’s nonetheless, they’re investing some huge cash. They’re proper now the world’s second strongest army definitely.
TOM LLAMAS:
Let’s discuss Iran. Did President Trump elevate the difficulty of Iran with China?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
He did, and it was essential as a result of the Chinese language facet stated they aren’t in favor of militarizing the Straits of Hormuz, they usually’re not in favor of a tolling system, and that’s our place. We’ll by no means help an Iranian tolling system within the Straits of Hormuz, nor do we predict they’ve a proper to place mines in worldwide waters. And so it’s good that we now have alliance, or no less than settlement on that time. I feel the basic query is, what are we going to do about it? We now have a decision now earlier than the United Nations, that during which 100 and one thing nations have co-signed, the Bahrainis are the sponsor, however we’re strongly behind it and been pushing very onerous on it, and it very clearly makes these factors. So we hope the Chinese language will vote for it. So proper now, we haven’t gotten their dedication to vote for it but on the United Nations. Possibly that’ll change after right this moment’s assembly. I don’t know.
TOM LLAMAS:
Are you able to assist me perceive what precisely did President Trump ask President Xi for with regards to Iran?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
He didn’t ask him for something. I imply, we’re not asking for China’s assist. We don’t want their assist.
TOM LLAMAS:
However he raises the difficulty.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
We raised the difficulty to clarify what our place is and to make it clear so that they perceive. As a result of, I imply, it’s logical we’d discuss it, given how dominant that problem is. Our place could be very clear. Iran can not have a nuclear weapon, and that’s what they had been you understand, they had been attempting. They had been on the verge of constructing a standard functionality the place that they had so many rockets, so many drones that you just couldn’t do something in opposition to them, they might disguise behind that standard defend to do no matter they needed with their nuclear program sooner or later. That’s why the president selected to behave. In response to that, Iran has determined that they’re going to take a world waterway and switch it into theirs and cost tolls for it. We’re not going to permit that to occur, and that’s why there’s a blockade. It’s a direct results of what they’ve finished. So there, if everybody’s ships can’t get out, Iran’s ships can’t get out, they’ll’t be the one one which profit from it. And I feel on the difficulty of tolling and on militarizing, in essence, what Iran is doing, the Chinese language facet right this moment was, was very clear that they oppose that.
TOM LLAMAS:
What? They oppose precisely what?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
They oppose what Iran is doing. I imply, they oppose the militarization of the straits and which a world waterway, they usually oppose charging a toll, which is what Iran is claiming to attempt to arrange. They need to arrange a system the place ships must pay Iran to make use of a world waterway, and now they acquired to do one thing about it.
TOM LLAMAS:
Yeah
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
They need to vote for our decision on the UN.
TOM LLAMAS:
Does China agree with the USA that Iran mustn’t have a nuclear weapon?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Yeah. Then what they’ve stated is that Iran is signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and so subsequently they need to not have a nuclear weapon. They usually reiterated that time once more right this moment, perhaps not as forcefully as I’m making it, however they’ve actually reiterated that previously. At present, it wouldn’t be the primary time to say it…
TOM LLAMAS:
So the U.S. and China got here to frequent floor with the truth that they each don’t need Iran to have a nuclear weapon? I simply need to make sure that we’re clear about this.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Yeah, however let me be clear on this. I don’t know — I don’t know if there’s a rustic on the planet. I don’t find out about North Korea, however I don’t know there’s a rustic on the planet that’s in favor of this regime and Iran having nuclear weapons. I don’t know of any. I feel the distinction is we truly try to do one thing about it. Different nations are in opposition to it, however they’re not keen to do something about it. So I feel the Chinese language merely reiterated what has been their place previously, which is that they don’t need to see them have a nuclear weapon. The Russians would say the identical factor.
TOM LLAMAS:
Proper
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Actually, all of their Gulf neighbors would say the identical factor as nicely. I feel the distinction, after all, is we’re truly attempting to do one thing about it.
TOM LLAMAS:
You realize, for our viewers again house in America, each day, Individuals are spending increasingly more they usually’re saving much less and fewer. How do you clarify to them, Why is that this taking so lengthy in Iran?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
To start with, I might say, clearly it could look like a very long time from the attitude of different conflicts that we’ve seen previously. It’s solely been weeks, not months, and positively not years,
TOM LLAMAS:
However longer than the president has advised the American folks, to be honest.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, we achieved the missions of Epic Fury. We destroyed. There isn’t any Iranian navy. There isn’t any Iranian navy. They’ve small, little velocity boats with a machine gun on it, however that’s not a navy. They’re precise Navy. They usually had a navy that had carriers on them, not plane carriers historically, however the ones that would launch drones from these issues are fully gone
TOM LLAMAS:
I perceive, however the strait is closed. There’s nonetheless uranium.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly the straits — the straits are closed, is their response to the aftermath of Epic Fury. They determined they’re going to take the world hostage. And my level is what they’re doing now with the straits, they might have finished as soon as they acquired a nuclear weapon, or as soon as they constructed their standard capabilities, the place they may disguise behind to a sure stage. Perceive what I’m saying by this, when you have 20,000 missiles, you possibly can’t presumably shoot down 20,000 missiles. I imply, they might overwhelm your techniques. As soon as they set up that time of immunity. Not solely may they maintain a world hostage with a nuclear program. They might maintain an entire world hostage with the straits. It’s not the primary time they tried to regulate the straits, and what they’re doing is illegitimate. It violates each regulation on the books when it comes to worldwide regulation, which all these nations in Europe and love to speak about. They’ve militarized the straits. They’re threatening to sink business vessels that don’t pay them a toll that’s unacceptable to the entire world, not simply to us.
TOM LLAMAS:
Will Mission Freedom return? Are we going to start out bombing Iran once more?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
The explanation why Mission Freedom stopped is on the request of Pakistan, they usually stated, the Pakistani stated, in the event you guys cease Mission Freedom, we predict we are able to get to a deal. And so within the curiosity of diplomacy, the president would favor to have a diplomatic resolution to this downside with Iran. We went forward and agreed to cease it. By the best way, we agreed to cease it. We had destroyers contained in the Persian Gulf. We stated, OK, we’re going to cease. We’re shifting our destroyers out. They get fired upon by the Iranians, and that’s the exercise you noticed final week. We nonetheless desire, the president strongly prefers a diplomatic resolution. We’re going to proceed to attempt to work on one. We’ve given this regime in Iran each alternative to achieve one. However a part of the issue we’re having, frankly, is it divided internally inside Iran? They’re divided internally, and it makes it onerous to get counter proposals from them.
TOM LLAMAS:
On that time, is the brand new —
On that time, is the brand new ayatollah a part of any half — a part of these negotiations? Do you might have any proof? Is there any understanding that the brand new ayatollah is energetic in advising Iranian management?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, I feel what’s clear is that the folks we’re negotiating with, like their international minister, shouldn’t be the choice maker, so he has to return to their system. Now, whether or not that’s a council or supreme chief or what have you ever, it’s not clear, however he goes again to somebody and will get approval for what he’s allowed to conform to and what to not conform to. In lots of instances, the sensation is we’re negotiating with somebody who then has to show round and negotiate with somebody in his personal system and his personal nation. So oftentimes it takes 4 or 5 days to get responses from the Iranian facet. That’s been an obstacle right here. It additionally, I feel, is perception to the weak point of this regime at this level and what they’re going through internally. However nonetheless, we’re going to maintain working at it, as a result of we’d prefer to see a diplomatic resolution. That’s our desire. I’m not going to speak about what the choices that the president has. He has choices to do different issues if this diplomacy fails. However we’re going to offer diplomacy.
TOM LLAMAS:
How for much longer are Individuals going to attend?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, I received’t put a timeline on how lengthy it can take to achieve a diplomatic resolution. We need to attain one. I feel what has to occur, irrespective, is the straits must be reopened. Perceive, as soon as once more, simply to reiterate, what they’ve determined is, there’s this worldwide waterway. It doesn’t belong to them.
TOM LLAMAS:
I get it, however can that occur with out Iran’s cooperation? Can that occur?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
It could possibly occur certainly one of two methods it will possibly occur, as a result of the world and both Iran decides to do it, or the entire world decides to impose a value on them for what they’re doing. And the entire 100 one thing nations on the U.N. have signed up and stated, we’re in opposition to what they’re doing. I feel the job now could be to get them to really do one thing about it. Are they keen to diplomatically isolate Iran? Are they keen to impose sanctions on Iran to power them to take away these mines and cease taking pictures at ships which are going by way of the straits? As a result of, let’s be clear, it’s harm our shoppers. There’s little question about it. OK, we’re not resistant to international oil costs sooner or later, as a result of we do purchase from the worldwide market, however different nations all over the world are paying a a lot larger value. They’ve as a lot or extra to care in regards to the straits than we do. We acquired. They’ve acquired to get entangled on this as nicely.
TOM LLAMAS:
Because the president was leaving for China, did he make a mistake when he advised a reporter that America’s monetary scenario isn’t taking part in, quote, even just a little little bit of a job in his motivations to make a cope with Iran?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
No, I feel what the president is claiming is that Iran shouldn’t be going to make use of that.
TOM LLAMAS:
Doesn’t that sound out of contact, although?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
No
TOM LLAMAS:
I imply, now, Individuals are spending a lot for fuel.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
As a result of, I feel what the president is making clear is that we’re not going to let Iran use that as leverage. Take into consideration what the Iranians are considering. The Iranians — they usually watch this, bear in mind, there’s no free press. There isn’t any you in Iran, proper? There’s, there isn’t any press in Iran that may criticize the regime or say, you understand, create any stress on them. And I feel what the president’s making clear is, if the Iranians suppose that they will use our home politics to stress him into a nasty deal. That’s not going to occur. We’ve taken extraordinary measures to maintain fuel costs decrease than they’re in another components of the world, and it’ll go down. These straits will probably be open, and we’ll see these costs go down. And really, I feel you’re going to see a dramatic discount in oil over time as a result of all of that pent-up oil that’s being held hostage by Iran. As soon as that reaches {the marketplace}, it’ll have a really constructive influence. However I might additionally say there’s a value hooked up to a nuclear Iran. If Iran ever acquires a nuclear weapon, they are going to instantly — What would cease them from controlling the straits then? Overlook about it being a 3 month or a six month downside. It may very well be a everlasting one.
TOM LLAMAS:
I need to flip to Cuba. Now, the State Division simply re upped the provide of 100 million in help to Cuba. Cuba’s international minister says that’s an absolute lie, that there isn’t any cash coming. Are there any strings hooked up to that $100 million in help?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
No. The one strings hooked up is that they must be distributed by non-governmental sources just like the Catholic Church. I used to be on the Vatican final week. I spoke to the Catholic church once more, they’re keen to play that position.
TOM LLAMAS:
So what’s the hold-up? Cuba is mendacity?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Cuba. They’re the hold-up. Yeah, they’re mendacity. They lie on a regular basis. I imply, how can he say it’s not an actual provide? We’ve made it to them privately. We’re not making it public. There’s $100 million — by the best way, we’ve given them humanitarian help after the hurricane. We offered them $6 million of humanitarian help, 3 million of which was distributed, 3 million of what’s nonetheless being held up, however is on the market for them. Now we’re saying, right here’s $100 million of humanitarian help. So I don’t know in the event that they’re watching a broadcast in Cuba, but when they’re, the Cuban folks ought to know there’s $100 million of meals and drugs out there for them proper now. And the one purpose it’s not reaching the Cuban folks
TOM LLAMAS:
No strings hooked up?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
The one string hooked up is it must be distributed by nongovernment — don’t need — nongovernmental organizations. Yeah, this will’t be humanitarian help if the federal government steals it for itself.
TOM LLAMAS:
In a yr, will somebody named Díaz-Canel or Castro be in cost in Cuba?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
I don’t know. I hope not, as a result of if they’re, then Cuba will most likely not have progress — progressed.
TOM LLAMAS:
However is there nonetheless a plan for change in Cuba?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
I imply, look, the change in Cuba is their financial system doesn’t operate. It’s not a purposeful financial system.
TOM LLAMAS:
No, I get that. However what’s — what’s the U.S. plan. I’m attempting to know the U.S. plan.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Properly, I wouldn’t let you know precisely what our plan is, as a result of I don’t need them to know what our plan is, however our plan for Cuba is a affluent future. That’s what we would like. It’s in our nationwide curiosity, and to have a affluent Cuba, to not have a failed state 90 miles from our shores. So how do you might have a affluent state the place folks can succeed? Perceive Cubans. You realize this. You perceive this in addition to I do, due to the place we come from. Cubans are profitable in every single place on this planet, besides one place, Cuba, and in order that’s what we would like. We would like Cubans to not have to go away that island to be able to achieve success. However they’ll’t, as a result of the present mannequin they’ve — it’s not simply the — It’s damaged. It doesn’t work, and it’ll by no means change, so long as the folks which are there now are operating it. They’re closed-minded, sadly. I hope I’m unsuitable. I might love for them to come back to their senses and say, OK, we acknowledge this actually has to vary, and it has to vary massive. However proper now they don’t appear to be indicating that. They appear to be digging in.
TOM LLAMAS:
I’ve just a few extra questions. I feel we’re getting near time, however I’m going to be trustworthy with you, as a result of I’ve the timer right here. I do need to ask you, going again to China, did the president carry up the case of Jimmy Lai?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
The president all the time raises that case and a pair others, and clearly we’ll hope to get a constructive response from that. However, and you understand, a few of these issues are greatest dealt with outdoors of the highlight, however it was raised. These points are all the time raised.
TOM LLAMAS:
Would the U.S. present a protected haven for Jimmy Lai if China had been to launch him? Might he come to the USA?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
I feel we want to see him launched. The president’s made that time publicly and in different conferences. We hope the Chinese language system will probably be aware of that, and we’d be open to any association that might work for them, so long as he’s given his freedom. It’s actually at this level a humanitarian scenario due to his age and well being.
TOM LLAMAS:
Yeah. 78. Two extra questions. There was a tweet that went viral, was put out by communications staffer Steve Cheung. It confirmed you in a Nike observe swimsuit, and it stated that you just had been on Air Drive One sporting the Nike Venezuela gear, one thing to that impact. I feel you understand what I’m speaking about.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Yeah, Steven put that out
TOM LLAMAS:
Was that? Was that some kind of…
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
No
TOM LLAMAS:
Had been you attempting to ship an indication? What’s the context for that?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
No. There’s no context. It’s a pleasant swimsuit. I imply, I prefer it. It’s snug.
TOM LLAMAS:
It was the identical Maduro was sporting.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
It’s, however you understand what, he copied me as a result of I had it earlier than, I imply I don’t know when he purchased his. I don’t even know that was his. The underside line is that that’s a swimsuit, that it’s snug. I don’t know. There was no message. I didn’t even know he was taking the image.
TOM LLAMAS:
After which lastly, I don’t know in the event you had been watching the president on Monday, however he was on the podium, and he was perhaps making a joke, however he was surveying the viewers. And I do know you’re Secretary of State, you don’t like to speak about your political future, however he requested a bunch of supporters to clap in the event that they like Vice President JD Vance or in the event that they favored you higher. Sounded prefer it was fairly even. What do you consider that? Would you need to be president?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
No, look, I’m fo — I do know that is going to sound like the everyday — job — I’m going to be on this job for the subsequent two and a half years. That’s I’m going to try this job. I’m going to complete the job for this president. I’m having fun with it very a lot. I feel we’re going to make loads of good issues occur. JD is an excellent pal of mine. If JD runs for president, I feel you’ve been an outstanding candidate. I’ve stated publicly, and I’ll say it once more, I’ll be the primary particular person to enroll and help him. I feel JD would do nice.
TOM LLAMAS:
Would you need to be a Vice President?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
I need to be the Secretary of State, and I’ll fear in regards to the future. Sooner or later, I’m not saying, you understand, I’m not telling you that that’s what I’m aiming for. You realize, I’ve been doing this for a very long time, too. I used to be within the Senate beginning in 2010, so I’d love to do another issues with my life sooner or later, though public service is an honor to have the ability to be concerned in.
TOM LLAMAS:
OK, I do need to ask you, as a result of that we did a lot reporting on Chinese language EVs. There’s, there’s two arguments in opposition to Chinese language EVs within the US, one from automakers, it’ll cripple the trade as a result of they’re so low cost. However elected leaders have additionally stated it’s a difficulty of nationwide safety. Do you really consider if China, if China’s EVs, come to the US, it’s a difficulty of nationwide safety?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:
Sure, as a result of it’ll wipe out an trade, as a result of it’s not simply the EV it’s the entire different issues that go into making them, that every one the opposite parts of it which are associated to different industries as nicely. However ask the Europeans, the Europeans proper now their EV mannequin, they’re being flooded with Chinese language EVs. It’s wiping out their trade over there. So once more, we have already got loads of essential vulnerabilities. There are already issues we depend on in our financial system the place we get 95% of it, or 85% of it from China. That’s a vulnerability. We are able to’t proceed to permit it to broaden to different fields.
[Llamas and Rubio have a Q&A in Spanish]
