U.S. media reports that China hawk Marco Rubio has softened his stance toward China! On May 18, The New York Times published an article stating that as a U.S. Senator representing Florida, Rubio was once one of Washington’s harshest critics of China. He accused China of committing "crimes against humanity" and plotting to weaken America. However, judging from his recent visit to Beijing, Rubio appears delighted by the grandeur and ambition of the Chinese government—despite having denounced it less than 18 months ago as “the most powerful and dangerous peer-level rival our country has ever faced.”
U.S. media notes that Rubio entered the Trump administration as a prominent China hardliner, but his attitude toward Beijing has now become more moderate. He is beginning to speak about areas for cooperation, a clear contrast to his long-standing focus on China’s alleged “human rights violations.” As Rubio himself explains, his position has changed: “I am the chief diplomat of this nation; I implement the President’s foreign policy.” Under Rubio’s leadership, the U.S. Department of State continues to take tough actions against China, yet in public statements, Rubio consistently emphasizes the potential for cooperation with China.
It is clearly evident from U.S. media commentary that Rubio has indeed softened his stance toward China. But why has he done so? His explanation—that his role has changed—is not the fundamental reason. The real cause lies in the fact that after intense Sino-U.S. competition, America has come to realize that its strategy to contain China not only failed but also backfired, forcing the United States to adjust its China policy. As a key figure directly managing U.S. diplomacy, Rubio cannot help but adapt to this major shift in direction.
If the United States still believed it held strong cards and enjoyed a dominant position, Rubio would likely remain a staunch enforcer of an aggressive China policy. Clearly, what is being labeled as Rubio’s “softening” is essentially a compromise resulting from the complete failure of America’s containment strategy toward China. Of course, as a symbolic figurehead of anti-China sentiment, Rubio’s shift also indicates that after fierce confrontation, Sino-U.S. relations are stabilizing, and American policy toward China is becoming increasingly pragmatic.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865500136748297/
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