Overview
- In a year-end briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved away from branding China a 'pacing threat' and urged 'responsible statecraft' to manage the relationship.
- Rubio said Washington will seek areas to work with Beijing even as it reinforces ties with Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand through regional frameworks like the Quad.
- He framed a broader recalibration of U.S. foreign policy around explicitly defined national interests and tighter prioritization of limited resources and foreign aid.
- Rubio portrayed the administration as a peacemaker and echoed President Trump’s claim of stopping the India–Pakistan confrontation, a claim India disputes by denying any third‑party role.
- On Gaza, he said Pakistan has offered to consider participation on the ground, but prospective contributors want clarity on mandate and funding before committing.