Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in a State Department interview Thursday, defended the Trump administration’s ‘America First’ foreign policy as a framework that puts what is good for the United States ahead of other priorities.
- Rubio said the administration will not place bodies like the United Nations above U.S. interests, arguing the country will use its economic, military and cultural power to advance those interests.
- He framed the approach as common sense and criticized media and policy commentators who oppose it, while saying that when U.S. and partner interests diverge the government will pursue diplomacy to manage those differences.
- The comments were given to Breitbart, which published excerpts and said the full interview is forthcoming, and they have been picked up by other outlets with right-leaning outlets offering supportive coverage and center outlets presenting the remarks as an explanation of policy.
- Political and diplomatic consequences could include tighter U.S. bargaining with allies, reduced deference to multilateral institutions and renewed debates over how far Washington will go to protect short-term American aims versus long-term collective arrangements.