U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, U.S.. File.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The Trump administration will pursue a relationship with China that advances U.S. interests and puts the American people first, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Mr. Rubio on Friday (January 25, 2024) spoke today with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang, the first call between the two diplomats since President Donald Trump’s administration took office on January 20.

 “Secretary Rubio emphasised that the Trump administration will pursue a US-PRC (People’s Republic of China) relationship that advances US interests and puts the American people first,” said the State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

Also read | China and U.S. partners are moving closer as Trump returns to the White House

“The Secretary also stressed the United States’ commitment to our allies in the region and serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea,” Ms. Bruce said.

China claims most of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims.  Rubio also discussed other issues of bilateral, regional, and global importance with Mr. Wang.

In the first year of Trump’s first term, the U.S.-China ties deteriorated amid a trade war that unleashed a series of tit-for-tat tariffs.

Meanwhile, Congressman John Moolenaar,  Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and Congressman Tom Suozzi introduced the Restoring Trade Fairness Act, the first bipartisan bill that would revoke China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR).

A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Tom Cotton and Jim Banks.

This comes following President Trump’s new executive order, directing the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to assess legislative proposals regarding Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China.

In 2000, as China prepared to enter the World Trade Organisation, Congress voted to extend PNTR status to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), hoping the Chinese Communist Party would liberalise and adopt fair trading practices.

In another development, Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act to protect Department of Defence installations and training areas from American adversaries.

The bill restricts the purchase of certain property by a foreign person acting for or on behalf of Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea.

“Foreign adversaries are exploiting loopholes to acquire land near our military bases and training routes, jeopardising the safety of our troops and the integrity of our operations,” Cruz said.

Congressman Dan Meuser has reintroduced the China Exchange Rate Transparency Act, legislation aimed at addressing China’s opaque and manipulative currency practices that undermine fair trade and global economic stability.

“China’s long-standing disregard for financial transparency and its manipulation of foreign exchange markets have tilted the playing field against US businesses and disrupted global economic norms,” said Meuser.

“This legislation demands accountability and insists on adherence to international standards of transparency and fairness,” he added.

The China Exchange Rate Transparency Act (CERT Act) directs the United States Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advocate for enhanced transparency in China’s exchange rate arrangements.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (January 22, 2025) to reiterate Washington’s support for its ally, and the two also discussed Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza, the State Department said.

The call was Mr. Rubio’s first with Israel since the administration of Republican President Donald Trump took office on Monday (January 20, 2025). Mr. Trump and his predecessor, Democratic former President Joe Biden, have both been supporters of Israel during its wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Mr. Rubio underscored that “maintaining the United States’ steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for Trump,” the State Department said in a statement.

Mr. Rubio told Mr. Netanyahu that Washington will continue to work “tirelessly” to help free the remaining hostages in Gaza, the State Department added.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s subsequent military assault on Gaza has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, the Gaza Health Ministry says, while also leading to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.

The assault displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza and caused a hunger crisis. A ceasefire went into effect on Sunday (January 19, 2025) and has led to the release of some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Rights groups have criticised the mounting humanitarian crisis from Israel’s Military assault. Washington has maintained its support, saying it is helping its ally in its defense against Iran-backed militant groups including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“The Secretary also conveyed that he looks forward to addressing the threats posed by Iran and pursuing opportunities for peace,” the State Department said.