Marco Rubio’s new role overseeing US foreign policy comes amid unprecedented global uncertainty, as Donald Trump’s leadership continues to defy conventional expectations. The president’s decision to replace national security adviser Mike Waltz with Rubio has sparked widespread concern about the direction of US foreign policy, especially as Trump’s trade war with China intensifies, peace talks in Ukraine stall, and American influence wanes.
Source: CNN | 2nd May 2025 | Pic: Collected
Trump’s trade war with China is starting to hurt the US economy, with no clear end in sight. The administration’s efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine have failed to produce results, while Trump’s hostile rhetoric toward allies and his slashing of foreign aid have eroded US standing on the global stage.
Rubio’s biggest challenge, however, may not lie in addressing these foreign crises but in managing the volatile, unpredictable force that is Donald Trump. The president’s approach to foreign policy is defined by impulsive decisions, a preference for dealing with authoritarian regimes, and a transactional mindset that undermines the long-standing principles of US global leadership.
Trump’s decision to involve Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul, in delicate negotiations on Ukraine, the Middle East, and Iran has raised serious questions about Rubio’s role and influence in shaping the country’s foreign policy. While Trump’s base supports this unconventional approach, it further complicates Rubio’s ability to bring order and consistency to a chaotic policy landscape.
As Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted in a recent interview, Trump’s “strategic uncertainty” is a key feature of his foreign policy approach, which deliberately keeps adversaries in the dark about US intentions. While this may be a strategic advantage in some contexts, it also contributes to the global instability and unpredictability that is rapidly becoming synonymous with the Trump administration.
