Marco Rubio, the newly appointed Secretary of State under President Donald Trump, has been at the center of significant developments in U.S. foreign policy over the last few days. Following his unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate on January 20, 2025, Rubio has quickly dove into his new role, outlining his approach to foreign aid and international relations.
In his first overseas mission as Secretary of State, Rubio embarked on a five-day tour of Central America and the Caribbean. This trip is part of his effort to reinforce U.S. engagement with its closest neighbors, particularly focusing on curbing illegal immigration and the trade of illicit drugs. During this visit, Rubio addressed U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, where he emphasized the importance of continuing foreign aid but with a greater emphasis on transparency and justification.
Rubio made it clear that the United States is not abandoning its foreign aid programs but needs to do a better job of explaining and defending these initiatives. He stressed that foreign aid must be tied to programs that can be defended, explained, and justified, highlighting the challenges in gaining public support for such programs due to their unpopularity[1].
This stance comes amidst a dramatic overhaul of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). President Trump signed an executive order folding USAID's functions into the State Department, with Rubio named as the acting administrator. As part of this overhaul, most USAID staff were informed they would be placed on leave, except for those involved in "mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs." Rubio is currently reviewing all foreign aid programs to identify these specially designated programs, citing examples like USAID funding to combat Ebola and projects under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS (PEPFAR) as exceptions that will continue[1].
Rubio's leadership style and priorities were also highlighted during his confirmation hearing and his swearing-in ceremony. He pledged that every decision made by the State Department would be guided by whether it makes the U.S. stronger, safer, and more prosperous. As the first Hispanic American to hold the position of Secretary of State, Rubio acknowledged his parents' journey from Cuba and expressed his gratitude to President Trump for the opportunity[3][5].
In addition to his foreign aid reforms, Rubio has been vocal about the need for a balanced approach to foreign policy, particularly in relation to China. During his confirmation hearing, he warned about the consequences of America's "unbalanced relationship" with China, echoing Trump's anti-globalist rhetoric while also advocating for the importance of U.S. involvement on the global stage[5].
Overall, Rubio's early days as Secretary of State have been marked by a proactive approach to reshaping U.S. foreign aid and policy, with a strong focus on transparency, national interest, and global engagement.
