Read the full transcript: Secretary of State Marco Rubio interviewed by ‘NBC Nightly News’ anchor Tom Llamas - BERITAJA

TOM LLAMAS

OK, Mr. Secretary, we convey you truthful overmuch for your time.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Thank you.

TOM LLAMAS:

I do want to commencement by asking you—are you amazed that you’re moreover present successful China arsenic a U.S. senator? You know, you were sanctioned by China because of what you said talking about China’s grounds erstwhile it came to quality authorities abuses. You person ne'er shied distant from that. Do you still consciousness the aforesaid measurement now that you’re successful this country?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Yeah, I mean, the quality is my occupation now is nary longer conscionable to beryllium a Senator. My occupation is simply a different job. I’m the main diplomat of the country, and I execute connected the President’s overseas policy.

The 2nd point I would opportunity is, irrespective of that, moreover successful my clip successful the Senate, I would ever admit that the United States and China person to person a relationship. It’s the 2 largest economies successful the world, about apt the 2 about powerful militaries successful the world, and I deliberation it’s irresponsible for america not to person nonstop speech pinch them. And areas wherever we could find communal cooperation, I deliberation we could -

There’s about apt virtually nary problem successful the world that we can’t lick if we activity together connected it. Theres — But pinch 2 big, powerful countries for illustration this, there’s ever going to beryllium irritants. There’s ever going to beryllium areas of disagreement, and it’s our job, for the liking of our respective countries, but yet for the world, for the liking of the world, to effort to negociate those areas of difference.

You know, they’ve sewage reddish lines and things they ne'er want to talk about, but we person them arsenic well. And our occupation is to do and to beforehand the policies that are successful the champion liking of the United States.

TOM LLAMAS:

So for our viewers astatine home, there’s truthful overmuch going connected successful the world, and the world is watching what’s happening here. What’s the main takeaway you could show our viewers astatine home? What was negotiated, what’s been decided, and really is it going to alteration their lives backmost successful America?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, first and foremost, portion of the problem we’ve faced successful the United States for a agelong clip is we’ve allowed our federation to beryllium deindustrialized. If you deliberation about factories, manufacturing, each kinds of cardinal industries that person near the country, lithium batteries, that’s thing America invented, and China now dominates that market.

So I ever said it, and I ever said it erstwhile I was successful the Senate, China is doing what I would do if I were Chinese — If I were a Chinese leader. They’re trying to predominate the world successful each these cardinal industries of the future. We whitethorn not for illustration it, but that’s what they’re going to do, because they’re acting successful their champion interest.

We person to enactment successful our champion interest. I’m the Secretary of State of the United States, and earlier that, arsenic you pointed out, a Senator for the United States, I activity for the President of the United States. Our occupation is to beforehand the interests of our state and to bring backmost — bring backmost arsenic galore those industries arsenic possible.

So the areas we’re ever going to beryllium talking to them about are unfair competition, you know, their power of captious proviso chains. There’s truthful galore captious proviso chains that we are reliant on, not conscionable us, the world is overly reliant.

So I deliberation what you’ll spot arsenic a result—two things, I think, are resulting today: There is immoderate statement they’re going to bargain much of definite things, which is important, for illustration American airplanes, American pitchy engines.

But I deliberation the different point that’s important for america is to support up the activity of reindustrializing America, bringing backmost to the United States those industries that are cardinal to us. The Chinese are not going to for illustration it, because they want to predominate those industries, but that’s what’s bully for the American people.

The 2nd constituent is conscionable that engagement betwixt the presidents of the respective countries is critically important, because they were capable to talk about the Straits of Hormuz, we were capable to talk about North Korea, we were capable to talk about each these different parts of the world wherever China plays a domiciled arsenic well.

TOM LLAMAS:

So conscionable to nail down immoderate specifics here—we’re talking about purchasing Boeing airplanes, and there’s besides been immoderate reports about beef arsenic well. Is location thing you could share?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

I deliberation the specifications will beryllium announced later today. I don’t want to get up of the existent announcement by the Trade Representative.

But location are going to beryllium immoderate cultivation purchases, which are important for our growers—and China needs those things. We dream successful the early to grow it to power purchases. You know, the United States is simply a nett supplier of energy, and successful the world, we’re 1 of the world’s, if not the world’s, largest power suppliers astatine this point.

Obviously, erstwhile it comes to airplanes and engines, those are American factories and American workers that are making that, truthful anytime you could summation entree to a marketplace arsenic ample arsenic this one, that’s a very affirmative thing. But there’s a batch of activity yet to beryllium done.

TOM LLAMAS:

The CEO of Nvidia is present pinch you guys who traveled pinch the President connected Air Force One. Were AI chips discussed astatine all?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

In the discourse of the President’s speech pinch President Xi?

TOM LLAMAS:

Yeah

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

No, we didn’t get into the level of specificity. I mean, astatine the extremity of the day, the United States remains a ascendant subordinate successful the abstraction of AI and successful the abstraction of semiconductors and chips. That said, you know, the Chinese are investing billions and billions of dollars successful their ain industry, truthful that’s going to beryllium an area of competition.

TOM LLAMAS:

Do you deliberation AI chips should beryllium sold to China?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, I think—as you’ve seen—the President has announced that definite chips could beryllium sold. Obviously, it’s up to the Chinese to judge it, but I deliberation we ever person to found our area of dominance, successful essence, the cutting edge, the things that springiness america an advantage.

It would beryllium dumb for america to waste that to anyone, particularly a state that could reverse technologist it and leapfrog it. So I deliberation that’s understood maturely speaking. There are things the United States still has ascendant position in, and from our nationalist information perspective, we should support that dominance. We want to support that dominance. The Chinese are going to do their champion to drawback america and moreover surpass us. We shouldn’t make it easy for them the measurement we benignant of did for 20 years, erstwhile we benignant of had a different position of this relationship.

TOM LLAMAS:

I want to publication you thing from your counterpart, the overseas minister, has put retired a connection which you whitethorn person seen, you whitethorn haven’t seen. I want to make judge you perceive about it. He says, quote, Taiwan independency and transverse strait bid are arsenic irreconcilable arsenic occurrence and water. Safeguarding bid and stableness crossed the Taiwan Strait is the biggest communal denominator betwixt China and the US. And again, the discourse of each this is that President Xi stressed to President Trump that the Taiwan mobility is the about important rumor successful China-US relations. Talk to maine about that infinitesimal erstwhile that was discussed.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well they surely consciousness that way. And they ever raise that issue. And we understand they raise that issue. From our perspective, immoderate forced alteration successful the position quo and the business that’s location now would beryllium bad for some countries. One of the things the Chinese emphasize, which we agree, is strategical stableness successful our relationship, a constructive relationship, but besides 1 that establishes strategical stableness truthful that we don’t person misunderstandings that could lead to broader conflict. And truthful we ever reiterate the constituent — we perceive them erstwhile they opportunity this, we ever respond by saying thing that would compel aliases unit a alteration successful what we person now would beryllium problematic and that we would certainly, our policies connected that person not changed. It’s been beautiful accordant crossed aggregate statesmanlike administrations and remains accordant now.

TOM LLAMAS:

Did President Xi petition to President Trump not to waste weapons to Taiwan?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, that taxable whitethorn person been- has been discussed successful the past. It did not characteristic chiefly successful today’s discussion. We cognize what their position connected that is already. Remember, Congress plays a domiciled successful that, successful that process arsenic well, and we person sold them weapons successful the past. That’s existed arsenic precocious arsenic December, which they were very upset about. And that’s a determination the President gets to make arsenic Congress appropriates, and arsenic Congress decides what to do pinch those topics, we will respond accordingly.

TOM LLAMAS:

But thing has changed successful the measurement the US views the narration pinch Taiwan. It will take sides Taiwan, arsenic has been historically?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Yeah, US Policy connected the rumor of Taiwan is unchanged arsenic of today, and arsenic of the gathering that we had present today, it was raised. They ever raise it connected their side. We ever make clear our position, and we move connected to the different topics. We cognize wherever they stand, and I deliberation they cognize wherever we stand.

TOM LLAMAS:

Do you deliberation China wants to invade Taiwan?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, I deliberation China’s penchant is about apt to person Taiwan willingly, voluntarily subordinate them successful a cleanable world. What they would want is immoderate ballot aliases a referendum successful Taiwan that agrees to fold in. I deliberation that’s what they would prefer. Ultimately, it’s featured prominently successful President Xi’s mandate. In the clip he’s been successful office, he’s made clear that what they telephone reunification, that’s what they telephone it, is thing that has to hap astatine immoderate point. We deliberation it would beryllium a unspeakable correction to unit that done unit aliases thing of that nature. It would location would beryllium repercussions for that globally, not conscionable from the United States, and we benignant of time off it there. That benignant of ambiguity is what- I deliberation has defined our charac-the measurement we qualify this issue. And the logic being strategical ambiguities. We don’t want to spot conflict. We don’t want to spot thing disruptive happen, because I deliberation it would beryllium very disruptive for the world and for some countries.

TOM LLAMAS:

I cognize you’re watching China—do you deliberation they’re ramping up their militarty

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Sure

TOM LLAMAS:

to do thing successful Taiwan?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

I deliberation they’re ramping up their subject successful general. I mean, I mean the gait of maturation successful the Chinese subject complete the past 10 years has nary precedent, none. I mean, conscionable what they’ve done pinch their navy alone, complete the last- they put billions and billions and billions of dollars successful their system. So it’s, you know, you look astatine it, it’s difficult to disregard really accelerated and really big- So I don’t deliberation it’s conscionable constricted to Taiwan. I deliberation they person ambitions to yet beryllium capable to task powerfulness globally the measurement the US does now. They’re still down america successful that regard, but there’s nonetheless, they are investing a batch of money. They are correct now the world’s 2nd about powerful subject without a doubt.

TOM LLAMAS:

Let’s talk about Iran. Did President Trump raise the rumor of Iran pinch China?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

He did, and it was important because the Chinese broadside said they are not successful favour of militarizing the Straits of Hormuz, and they’re not successful favour of a tolling system, and that’s our position. We will ne'er support an Iranian tolling strategy successful the Straits of Hormuz, nor do we deliberation they person a correct to put mines successful world waters. And truthful it’s bully that we person alliance, aliases astatine slightest statement connected that point. I deliberation the basal mobility is, what are we going to do about it? We person a solution now earlier the United Nations, that successful which 100 and thing countries person co signed, the Bahrainis are the sponsor, but we’re powerfully down it and been pushing very difficult connected it, and it very intelligibly makes those points. So we dream the Chinese will ballot for it. So correct now, we haven’t gotten their committedness to ballot for it yet astatine the United Nations. Maybe that’ll alteration aft today’s meeting. I don’t know.

TOM LLAMAS:

Can you thief maine understand what precisely did President Trump asked President Xi for erstwhile it comes to Iran?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

He didn’t inquire him for anything. I mean, we’re not asking for China’s help. We don’t request their help.

TOM LLAMAS:

But he raises the issue.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

We raised the rumor to make clear what our position is and to make it clear truthful they understand. Because, I mean, it’s logical we would talk about it, fixed really ascendant that rumor is. Our position is very clear. Iran cannot person a atomic weapon, and that’s what they were you know, they were trying. They were connected the verge of building a accepted capacity wherever they had truthful galore rockets, truthful galore drones that you couldn’t do thing against them, they would hide down that accepted shield to do immoderate they wanted pinch their atomic programme successful the future. That’s why the President chose to act. In consequence to that, Iran has decided that they’re going to return an world waterway and move it into theirs and complaint tolls for it. We’re not going to let that to happen, and that’s why there’s a blockade. It’s a nonstop consequence of what they’ve done. So there, if everyone’s ships can’t get out, Iran’s ships can’t get out, they can’t beryllium the only 1 that use from it. And I deliberation connected the rumor of tolling and connected militarizing, successful essence, what Iran is doing, the Chinese broadside coming was, was very clear that they reason that.

TOM LLAMAS:

What? They reason precisely what?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

They reason what Iran is doing. I mean, they reason the militarization of the straits and which an world waterway, and they reason charging a toll, which is what Iran is claiming to effort to group up. They want to group up a strategy wherever ships person to salary Iran to usage an world waterway, and now they sewage to do thing about it.

TOM LLAMAS:

Yeah

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

They should ballot for our solution astatine the UN.

TOM LLAMAS:

Does China work together pinch the United States that Iran should not person a atomic weapon?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Yeah. Then what they’ve said is that Iran is signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and truthful so they should not person a atomic weapon. And they reiterated that constituent again today, possibly not arsenic forcefully arsenic I’m making it, but they’ve surely reiterated that successful the past. Today, it wouldn’t beryllium the first clip to opportunity it…

TOM LLAMAS:

So the US and China came to communal crushed pinch the truth that they some don’t want Iran to person a atomic weapon? I conscionable want to make judge we’re clear about this.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Yeah, but fto maine beryllium clear connected this. I don’t know- I don’t cognize if there’s a state connected the planet. I don’t cognize about North Korea, but I don’t cognize there’s a state connected the satellite that is successful favour of this authorities and Iran having atomic weapons. I don’t cognize of any. I deliberation the quality is we really are trying to do thing about it. Other countries are against it, but they’re not consenting to do thing about it. So I deliberation the Chinese simply reiterated what has been their position successful the past, which is that they don’t want to spot them person a atomic weapon. The Russians would opportunity the aforesaid thing.

TOM LLAMAS:

Right

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Certainly, each of their Gulf neighbors would opportunity the aforesaid point arsenic well. I deliberation the difference, of course, is we’re really trying to do thing about it.

TOM LLAMAS:

You know, for our viewers backmost location successful America, each day, Americans are spending much and much and they’re redeeming little and less. How do you explicate to them, Why is this taking truthful agelong successful Iran?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

First of all, I would say, evidently it whitethorn look for illustration a agelong clip from the position of different conflicts that we’ve seen successful the past. It’s only been weeks, not months, and surely not years,

TOM LLAMAS:

but longer than the President has told the American people, to beryllium fair.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, we achieved the missions of epic fury. We destroyed. There is nary Iranian navy. There is nary Iranian navy. They person small, small velocity boats pinch a instrumentality weapon connected it, but that’s not a navy. They’re existent Navy. And They had a navy that had carriers connected them, not craft carriers traditionally, but the ones that could motorboat drones from those things are wholly gone

TOM LLAMAS:

I understand, but the strait is closed. There’s still uranium.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well the Straits — the Straits are closed, is their guidance to the aftermath of epic fury. They decided they’re going to return the world hostage. And my constituent is what they’re doing now pinch the straits, they would person done erstwhile they acquired a atomic weapon, aliases erstwhile they built their accepted capabilities, wherever they could hide down to a definite level. Understand what I’m saying by this, if you person 20,000 missiles, you can’t perchance sprout down 20,000 missiles. I mean, they would overwhelm your systems. Once they found that constituent of immunity. Not only could they clasp a world hostage pinch a atomic program. They could clasp a full world hostage pinch the straits. It’s not the first clip they tried to power the straits, and what they’re doing is illegal. It violates each rule connected the books successful position of world law, which each these countries successful Europe and emotion to talk about. They person militarized the straits. They are threatening to descend commercialized vessels that don’t salary them a toll that’s unacceptable to the full world, not conscionable to us.

TOM LLAMAS:

Will task Freedom return. Are we going to commencement bombing Iran again?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

The logic why Project Freedom stopped is astatine the petition of Pakistan, and they said, the Pakistani said, if you guys extremity task freedom, we deliberation we could get to a deal. And truthful successful the liking of diplomacy, the President would for illustration to person a negotiated solution to this problem pinch Iran. We went up and agreed to extremity it. By the way, we agreed to extremity it. We had destroyers wrong the Persian Gulf. We said, Okay, we’re going to stop. We’re moving our destroyers out. They get fired upon by the Iranians, and that’s the activity you saw past week. We still prefer, the President powerfully prefers a negotiated solution. We’re going to proceed to effort to activity connected one. We’ve fixed this authorities successful Iran each opportunity to scope one. But portion of the problem we’re having, frankly, is it divided internally wrong Iran? They’re divided internally, and it makes it difficult to get antagonistic proposals from them.

TOM LLAMAS:

On that point, is the caller -

On that point, is the caller Ayatollah portion of immoderate portion — portion of this negotiations? Do you person immoderate evidence? Is location immoderate knowing that the caller Ayatollah is progressive successful advising Iranians leadership?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, I deliberation what’s clear is that the group we’re negotiating with, for illustration their overseas minister, is not the determination maker, truthful he has to spell backmost to their system. Now, whether that’s a assembly aliases ultimate leader aliases what person you, it’s not clear, but he goes backmost to personification and gets support for what he’s allowed to work together to and what not to work together to. In galore cases, the emotion is we are negotiating pinch personification who past has to move about and discuss pinch personification successful his ain strategy and his ain country. So oftentimes it takes 4 aliases 5 days to get responses from the Iranian side. That’s been an impediment here. It also, I think, is penetration to the weakness of this authorities astatine this constituent and what they’re facing internally. But nonetheless, we’re going to support moving astatine it, because we’d for illustration to spot a negotiated solution. That is our preference. I’m not going to talk about what the options that the President has. He has options to do different things if these diplomacy fails. But we’re going to springiness diplomacy.

TOM LLAMAS:

How overmuch longer are Americans going to wait?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, I won’t put a timeline connected really agelong it will return to scope a negotiated solution. We want to scope one. I deliberation what has to happen, irrespective, is the straits person to beryllium reopened. Understand, erstwhile again, conscionable to reiterate, what they person decided is, there’s this world waterway. It doesn’t beryllium to them.

TOM LLAMAS:

I get it, but could that hap without Iran’s cooperation? Can that happen?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

It could hap 1 of 2 ways it could happen, because the world and either Iran decides to do it, aliases the full world decides to enforce a costs connected them for what they’re doing. And the full 100 thing countries astatine the UN person signed up and said, we are against what they’re doing. I deliberation the occupation now is to get them to really do thing about it. Are they consenting to diplomatically isolate Iran? Are they consenting to enforce sanctions connected Iran to unit them to region those mines and extremity shooting astatine ships that are going done the straits? Because, let’s beryllium clear, it’s wounded our consumers. There’s nary uncertainty about it. Okay, we are not immune to world lipid prices astatine immoderate point, because we do bargain from the world market, but different countries about the world are paying a overmuch higher price. They person arsenic overmuch aliases much to attraction about the straits than we do. We got. They’ve sewage to get progressive successful this arsenic well.

TOM LLAMAS:

As the president was leaving for China, did he make a correction erstwhile he told a newsman that America’s financial business isn’t playing, quote, moreover a small spot of a domiciled successful his motivations to make a woody pinch Iran?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

No, I deliberation what the President is claiming is that Iran is not going to usage that.

TOM LLAMAS:

Doesn’t that sound retired of touch, though?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

No

TOM LLAMAS:

I mean, now, Americans are spending truthful overmuch for gas.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Because, I deliberation what the President is making clear is that we’re not going to fto Iran usage that arsenic leverage. Think about what the Iranians are thinking. The Iranians- and they watch this, remember, there’s nary free press. There is nary you successful Iran, right? There is, location is nary property successful Iran that could knock the authorities aliases say, you know, create immoderate unit connected them. And I deliberation what the President’s making clear is, if the Iranians deliberation that they are going to usage our home authorities to unit him into a bad deal. That’s not going to happen. We’ve taken bonzer measures to support state prices little than they are successful immoderate different parts of the world, and it will spell down. Those straits will beryllium open, and we will spot those prices spell down. And actually, I deliberation you’re going to spot a melodramatic simplification successful lipid complete clip because each of that pent up lipid that’s being held hostage by Iran. Once that reaches the marketplace, it’ll person a very affirmative impact. But I would besides opportunity there’s a value attached to a atomic Iran. If Iran ever acquires a atomic weapon, they will immediately- What would extremity them from controlling the straits then? Forget about it being a 3 period aliases a six period problem. It could beryllium a imperishable one.

TOM LLAMAS:

I want to move to Cuba. Now, the State Department conscionable re upped the connection of 100 cardinal successful assistance to Cuba. Cuba’s Foreign Minister says that’s an absolute lie, that location is nary money coming. Are location immoderate strings attached to that 100 cardinal dollars successful aid?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

No. The only strings attached is that they person to beryllium distributed by non-governmental sources for illustration the Catholic Church. I was astatine the Vatican past week. I said to the Catholic religion again, they’re consenting to play that role.

TOM LLAMAS:

So what’s the clasp up? Cuba is lying?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Cuba. They’re clasp up. Yeah, they’re lying. They dishonesty each the time. I mean, really could he opportunity it’s not a existent offer? We’ve made it to them privately. We’re not making it public. There’s $100 cardinal — by the way, we’ve fixed them humanitarian assistance aft the hurricane. We provided them $6 cardinal of humanitarian aid, 3 cardinal of which was distributed 3 cardinal of what is still being held up, but is disposable for them. Now we’re saying, here’s $100 cardinal of humanitarian aid. So I don’t cognize if they’re watching a broadcast successful Cuba, but if they are, the Cuban group should cognize there’s $100 cardinal of nutrient and medicine disposable for them correct now. And the only logic it’s not reaching the Cuban people

TOM LLAMAS:

No strings attached?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

The only drawstring attached is it has to beryllium distributed by non government- I don’t want- nongovernmental organizations. Yeah, this can’t beryllium humanitarian assistance if the authorities steals it for itself.

TOM LLAMAS:

In a year, will personification named Diaz-Canel aliases Castro beryllium successful complaint successful Cuba?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

I don’t know. I dream not, because if they are, past Cuba will about apt not person progress- Progressed.

TOM LLAMAS:

But is location still a scheme for alteration successful Cuba?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

I mean, look, the alteration successful Cuba is their system doesn’t function. It’s not a functional economy.

TOM LLAMAS:

No, I get that. But what is- what is the US plan. I’m trying to understand the US plan.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Well, I wouldn’t show you precisely what our scheme is, because I don’t want them to cognize what our scheme is, but our scheme for Cuba is simply a prosperous future. That’s what we want. It’s successful our nationalist interest, and to person a prosperous Cuba, not to person a grounded authorities 90 miles from our shores. So really do you person a prosperous authorities wherever group could succeed? Understand Cubans. You cognize this. You understand this arsenic good arsenic I do, because of wherever we travel from. Cubans are successful everyplace successful the world, isolated from 1 place, Cuba, and truthful that’s what we want. We want Cubans not to person to time off that land successful bid to beryllium successful. But they can’t, because the existent exemplary they have- it’s not conscionable the- It’s broken. It doesn’t work, and it’ll ne'er change, arsenic agelong arsenic the group that are location now are moving it. They are closed-minded, unfortunately. I dream I’m wrong. I would emotion for them to travel to their senses and say, Okay, we admit this really has to change, and it has to alteration big. But correct now they don’t look to beryllium indicating that. They look to beryllium digging in.

TOM LLAMAS:

I person only a fewer much questions. I deliberation we’re getting adjacent to time, but I’m going to beryllium honorable pinch you, because I person the timer here. I do want to inquire you, going backmost to China, did the President bring up the lawsuit of Jimmy Lai?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

The President ever raises that lawsuit and a mates others, and evidently we’ll dream to get a affirmative consequence from that. But, and you know, immoderate of these things are champion handled extracurricular of the spotlight, but it was raised. Those issues are ever raised.

TOM LLAMAS:

Would the US supply a safe haven for Jimmy Lai if China were to merchandise him? Could he travel to the United States?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

I deliberation we would for illustration to spot him released. The President’s made that constituent publically and successful different meetings. We dream the Chinese strategy will beryllium responsive to that, and we’d beryllium unfastened to immoderate statement that would activity for them, arsenic agelong arsenic he’s fixed america freedom. It’s really astatine this constituent a humanitarian business because of his property and health.

TOM LLAMAS:

Yeah. 78. Two much questions. There was a tweet that went viral, was put retired by communications staffer Steve Cheung. It showed you successful a Nike way suit, and it said that you were connected Air Force One wearing the Nike Venezuela gear, thing to that effect. I deliberation you cognize what I’m talking about.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Yeah, Steven put that out

TOM LLAMAS:

Was that? Was that immoderate type of…

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

No

TOM LLAMAS:

Where you trying to nonstop a sign? What is the discourse for that?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

No. There’s nary context. It’s a bully suit. I mean, I for illustration it. It’s comfortable.

TOM LLAMAS:

It was the aforesaid Maduro was wearing.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

It is, but you cognize what, he copied maine because I had it before, I mean I don’t cognize erstwhile he bought his. I don’t moreover cognize that was his. The bottommost statement is that that’s a suit, that it’s comfortable. I don’t know. There was nary message. I didn’t moreover cognize he was taking the picture.

TOM LLAMAS:

And past finally, I don’t cognize if you were watching the president connected Monday, but he was astatine the podium, and he was possibly making a joke, but he was surveying the audience. And I cognize you’re Secretary of State, you don’t for illustration to talk about your governmental future, but he asked a group of supporters to clap if they for illustration Vice President JD Vance aliases if they liked you better. Sounded for illustration it was beautiful even. What do you deliberation about that? Would you want to beryllium president?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

No, look, I’m fo — I cognize this is going to sound for illustration the emblematic — job- I’m going to beryllium successful this occupation for the adjacent 2 and a half years. That’s I’m going to do that job. I’m going to decorativeness the occupation for this President. I’m enjoying it very much. I deliberation we’re going to make a batch of bully things happen. JD is simply a very bully friend of mine. If JD runs for president, I deliberation you’ve been a phenomenal candidate. I’ve said publicly, and I’ll opportunity it again, I’ll beryllium the first personification to motion up and support him. I deliberation JD would do great.

TOM LLAMAS:

Would you want to beryllium a Vice President?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

I want to beryllium the Secretary of State, and I’ll interest about the future. In the future, I’m not saying, you know, I’m not telling you that that’s what I’m aiming for. You know, I’ve been doing this for a agelong time, too. I was successful the Senate starting successful 2010, truthful I’d for illustration to do immoderate different things pinch my life astatine immoderate point, though nationalist work is an grant to beryllium capable to beryllium progressive in.

TOM LLAMAS:

OK, I do want to inquire you, because that we did truthful overmuch reporting connected Chinese EVs. There’s, there’s 2 arguments against Chinese EVs successful the US, 1 from automakers, it’ll cripple the manufacture because they’re truthful cheap. But elected leaders person besides said it’s an rumor of nationalist security. Do you genuinely judge if China, if China’s EVs, travel to the US, it’s an rumor of nationalist security?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO:

Yes, because it’ll swipe retired an industry, because it’s not conscionable the EV it’s each of the different things that spell into making them, that each the different components of it that are related to different industries arsenic well. But inquire the Europeans, the Europeans correct now their EV model, they’re being flooded pinch Chinese EVs. It is wiping retired their manufacture complete there. So again, we already person a batch of captious vulnerabilities. There are already things we trust connected successful our system wherever we get 95% of it, aliases 85% of it from China. That’s a vulnerability. We can’t proceed to let it to grow to different fields.

[Llamas and Rubio person a Q&A successful Spanish]