Rubio: "We hope the world sees that being a friend and ally of the United States is beneficial. This relationship is reciprocal."
This statement by Rubio was made during his speech at the "Americas Shield" summit held in Miami on March 7, 2026. He emphasized that the United States hopes to become a partner for Latin American countries and tried to convey a core message: being a friend of the United States is not only beneficial, but such a relationship is also mutually beneficial.
What exactly does Rubio mean by "the benefits of being a friend of the United States"?
At the "Americas Shield" summit, Rubio addressed Latin American countries in Spanish, calling them "friends with great potential." He promised that the United States hopes to be a partner for these countries in economic development and security maintenance, reflecting "reciprocity" and "common interests."
Rubio's statement represents an effort in diplomacy: trying to soothe and consolidate the alliance system under the backdrop of rapidly changing global order by emphasizing "reciprocity." However, in actual geopolitical games, whether these verbal commitments can be translated into policy reality and whether they can bridge increasingly deepening interest divisions remain unknown.
The famous saying by former U.S. Secretary of State Kissinger, which the entire world would surely know and never forget —
Being an enemy of the United States is dangerous, while being a friend of the United States is fatal.
In international relations, there are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends, only eternal interests. This is the bottom line for the United States' friendship based on national interests.
It reminds the international community that even if you are not an enemy of the United States, you must absolutely not be a friend of the United States.
Be careful about "killing the donkey after taking off the millstone!"
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859214352760832/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.