Rubio on the Taiwan Strait: Opposes Coercive Changes to Status Quo, Warns U.S.-China Conflict Would Be Global Disaster

Amid growing attention on the Taiwan Strait situation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a televised interview aired late Monday night that the United States does not support any change to the status quo and opposes any form of coercive action to alter it. He warned that any conflict between the U.S. and China, whether economic or military, would be catastrophic for both countries and the entire world, and emphasized the need to manage such risks responsibly.

Rubio appeared on Fox News Channel’s 'My View with Lara Trump,' with the segment airing Monday evening in the U.S. The program is hosted by Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Asked about widespread concerns that China may be waiting for the right moment to take control of Taiwan, Rubio responded that the U.S. position is clear: it does not support any change to the current status. 'We oppose any form of forced or coercive changes to the status quo,' he said, adding that this message has been conveyed directly in meetings with Chinese officials. He acknowledged that China holds a different view, noting that the issue is highly sensitive from their perspective.

He stressed that any conflict between the U.S. and China—economic or military—'would be disastrous for both nations and the entire world, and therefore must be handled responsibly.' At the same time, he emphasized that the U.S. cannot afford to retreat or sacrifice its national interests, highlighting the delicate balance every administration must strike between these competing forces.

On U.S.-China relations, Rubio stated that China's ultimate goal is to become the world's dominant power at America's expense, but that the U.S. will never allow this to happen.

He also emphasized that the two most powerful nations in the world must maintain a relationship, engage in dialogue, and work to minimize the risk of conflict; otherwise, 'very serious consequences' could follow.

Rubio noted that President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have a strong personal rapport, and that direct communication between the two leaders is 'crucial.' He argued that failing to engage directly with China would be 'irresponsible.'

He reiterated his hope for a stable U.S.-China relationship, stating that cooperation in certain areas would benefit the entire world. However, he expects continued friction and competition in many domains, adding, 'We must maintain our relationship with them while managing our differences.'

Trump has repeatedly claimed a close relationship with Xi. The two leaders met in Busan, South Korea, last year, and Trump visited Beijing in May for another summit. Xi is reportedly scheduled to visit the U.S. at the end of September to meet with Trump, with both teams already preparing for the upcoming summit.