US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the welcome planned for Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, saying it would be “irresponsible” for the world’s two largest economies to avoid talks at the highest level despite their disagreements.
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations hours before Xi’s expected arrival in Washington, Rubio was asked about criticism from Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who had argued against inviting the Chinese leader for a lavish visit.
“The relationship between the United States and China will define the 21st century,” Rubio said. “The idea that we would not interact with them at the highest levels is irresponsible. It’s outrageous. We have to.”
Rubio, a former senator known for his criticism of Beijing, acknowledged friction over trade, supply chains and critical minerals.
But he argued that direct communication was necessary between two powers with large economies and militaries, drawing a comparison with US-Soviet talks during the Cold War.
The visit follows US President Donald Trump’s trip to China in May. Rubio said the leaders could meet again later this year at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in China or the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Florida.
Asked separately about arms sales to Taiwan, Rubio said proposed sales had to be weighed against the US military’s own requirements and its ability to replenish equipment.
“If we sell you something, we don’t have it any more,” he said.
The calculation applied to sales to any partner, he added, and took account of what American commanders said they would need in a potential conflict.
“We rely on the input of the Department of War to determine what sales can happen now versus later,” Rubio said, referring to the Pentagon.
America’s top diplomat pointed to what he described as the largest single US arms sale to Taiwan – valued at US$11 billion and completed in December – but did not announce a decision on any further sales.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.
Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
Rubio also said he expected supply chains to come up in US-China discussions.
Asked whether Trump would raise China’s commerce with Russia and Iran or alleged support for their military industries, he declined to set out a summit agenda, saying the leaders would discuss “everything that’s relevant”.
Other global hotspots: Russia, Venezuela, Cuba and Iran
On Russia, Rubio said Washington had invited President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Florida in December and hoped he would attend.
“We think it’s an opportunity for him to engage not just with the president, but with other world leaders,” Rubio said of the Russian leader, adding that if Putin accepted, the gathering could give him and Trump a chance to talk.
Rubio said the US was also willing to explore a limited agreement between Russia and Ukraine covering grain and energy infrastructure.
Such a deal would not end the war but could ease some of its effects and possibly provide a basis for broader negotiations, he said.
Turning to Venezuela, Rubio said Trump’s meeting with acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday had covered debt restructuring and the country’s political transition.
Washington wanted to support economic recovery while helping establish the conditions for free and fair elections, he said.
Asked about reports that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado had been prevented from returning to Venezuela, Rubio said he was unfamiliar with the specific accounts and would look into them.
On Cuba, Rubio said its current governance model and US legal restrictions deterred investment.
“No one is going to invest in Cuba under their current governance model,” he said.
Rubio was sharply critical of Iran, saying its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had undermined previous understandings by attacking shipping.
He said Washington would remain open to negotiations but argued that divisions within Iran’s leadership made an agreement difficult to secure. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
