Marco Rubio’s First Foreign Trip Marred by Policy Turmoil \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first diplomatic trip to Central America, aimed at immigration and countering Chinese influence, was overshadowed by major foreign policy upheavals. The dismantling of USAID and Trump’s controversial Gaza proposal dominated discussions. Despite these distractions, Rubio secured key deportation agreements and Panama’s withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Marco Rubio’s Foreign Trip: Quick Looks
- Trip Focus: Immigration, countering China, counternarcotics.
- USAID Disbandment: Rubio defended mass layoffs, calling agency staff insubordinate.
- Gaza Controversy: Rubio downplayed Trump’s U.S. control proposal.
- Panama Canal Tensions: Warned of Chinese influence; Panama reconsidering Belt and Road membership.
- Deportation Deals: Agreements with El Salvador and Guatemala to receive U.S. deportees.
Deep Look
A Diplomatic Mission Derailed by Political Firestorms
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarked on his first international trip with the intent to focus on immigration, counternarcotics, and countering Chinese influence in Latin America. His selection of Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic as destinations reflected his deep engagement with Western Hemisphere policy—an area he has long championed.
However, Rubio’s carefully planned diplomatic agenda was soon eclipsed by major foreign policy disruptions emanating from Washington. Two particularly contentious issues took center stage:
- The dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which triggered backlash from the diplomatic and humanitarian sectors.
- President Donald Trump’s surprise proposal for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip, an idea widely condemned by world leaders.
These crises forced Rubio to play defense, as he sought to reassure his foreign counterparts while navigating speculation that he had been sidelined within the Trump administration. Despite these distractions, he did achieve key diplomatic wins, including securing new deportation agreements and convincing Panama to exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
But the trip also raised questions about Rubio’s influence and standing within the administration, particularly in light of Trump’s increasingly unpredictable foreign policy moves.
USAID Controversy Dominates the Trip
One of the most explosive developments overshadowing Rubio’s tour was the unraveling of USAID, a move that sent shockwaves through the humanitarian aid and diplomatic communities.
Rubio, upon arriving in Panama City, unexpectedly found himself in charge of overseeing USAID’s dismantlement. However, he quickly delegated authority to Peter Marocco, a controversial Trump appointee aligned with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has long advocated for severe reductions in foreign aid spending.
Trump had already ordered a freeze on all foreign assistance on his first day in office, pending a 90-day review. While Rubio had previously supported foreign assistance in the Senate, he attempted to soften the impact of USAID’s closure by issuing exemptions for emergency food aid and life-saving programs.
Despite this, by the time Rubio arrived in Guatemala, the final decision had been made:
- All non-essential USAID missions would be shut down.
- Thousands of contract workers would be laid off.
- American staff would have 30 days to return home.
Rubio defended these mass layoffs by blaming agency employees for insubordination, accusing them of ignoring requests to justify their spending. “We’re not being punitive,” he stated, “but this is the only way we’ve been able to get cooperation from USAID.”
While Trump’s base largely supported the move as part of his “America First” foreign policy, critics argued that dismantling USAID could weaken U.S. influence globally, especially in developing nations.
Trump’s Gaza Proposal Creates a Diplomatic Headache
As the USAID controversy unfolded, Rubio was hit with another diplomatic crisis—Trump’s unexpected proposal for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip.
During a press conference in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump floated the idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza, rebuilding it, and overseeing its governance. The proposal, which would upend decades of U.S. foreign policy supporting Palestinian statehood, was immediately met with widespread criticism.
Rubio’s Response: Downplaying the Proposal
When asked about Trump’s controversial statement, Rubio sought to downplay its significance, describing it as a “generous offer” that should be taken seriously. He emphasized that any U.S. role in Gaza would be temporary, adding, “To fix a place like that, people are going to have to live somewhere else in the interim.”
However, Trump’s own words contradicted Rubio’s portrayal. As White House officials scrambled to clarify the proposal, Trump doubled down, leaving it to his special Mideast envoy, Steven Witkoff, and possibly Rubio, to sort out the diplomatic chaos.
With Rubio expected to visit the Middle East later this month, he now faces an uphill battle in selling Trump’s idea to a region where every major player except Israel strongly opposes the plan.
Panama Canal: A New Flashpoint in U.S.-China Tensions
One of the few areas where Rubio was able to control the narrative was his warning about Chinese influence over the Panama Canal.
During his visit to Panama, Rubio repeated a strong Trump administration warning to Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino—stating that unless significant measures were taken to curb China’s economic footprint in and around the canal, the U.S. would be forced to intervene.
China currently exerts influence over key port facilities at both ends of the canal through a Hong Kong-based company. Rubio argued that this posed a direct national security threat, particularly in the event of a U.S.-China military conflict.
Mulino confirmed that Panama was reviewing its contract with the Chinese firm and hinted at potential adjustments. In a diplomatic win for Rubio, Panama agreed not to renew its membership in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
However, tensions arose over a separate dispute involving U.S. naval transit fees.
- U.S. officials claimed an agreement was reached to eliminate transit fees for American naval vessels.
- Panama’s government publicly denied the claim, calling the U.S. statement “intolerable.”
Rubio later clarified the misunderstanding, stating that Panama had to follow its own legal process before making a final decision. However, he also suggested that it was “absurd” for the U.S. to pay fees to transit a canal it is obligated to protect in times of conflict.
Rubio Secures Deportation Agreements, Setting the Stage for Mass Expulsions
Despite the foreign policy turbulence, Rubio achieved key wins on immigration—a top priority for both him and Trump.
Major Deportation Agreements:
- El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele agreed to accept deportees from any nation, and even offered to house U.S. prisoners in El Salvador’s prisons. However, this raised legal questions that have yet to be resolved.
- Guatemala: Agreed to take in deported migrants from third countries and return them to their home nations at U.S. expense. The country also pledged to create a border security force to police its frontiers with El Salvador and Honduras.
- Costa Rica: The U.S. committed to enhancing Costa Rica’s immigration enforcement by providing biometric technology.
- Panama: Continued to receive U.S. support for deportation flights of undocumented migrants.
Rubio observed one such deportation flight in Panama, stating, “Our border doesn’t begin in Texas or Mexico, it begins much farther down.”
With Trump vowing mass deportations, these agreements could pave the way for large-scale removals of migrants from U.S. soil.
Conclusion: Rubio’s Uneasy Role in Trump’s Foreign Policy
Marco Rubio’s first diplomatic tour was far from the controlled, issue-driven trip he had envisioned. While he managed policy victories on immigration and countering China, his tour was largely overshadowed by the USAID controversy and Trump’s Gaza proposal.
His upcoming Middle East trip will be a major test of his diplomatic skills, as he navigates a region strongly opposed to Trump’s vision. The question remains: Is Rubio a key player in Trump’s foreign policy, or is he simply cleaning up the administration’s messes?
You must Register or Login to post a comment.