Tensions between the U.S. and China have been rising for some time now, and Rubio's appointment has widely been seen as a sign that Trump plans to maintain a hard line on China during his second term. One of the most outspoken China hawks in Washington, Rubio has introduced several bills targeting the Chinese Communist Party.

The US' new top diplomat Marco Rubio reaffirmed the country's "unwavering support" for Israel, days into a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a large-scale raid in the illegally occupied West Bank.

U.S. President Donald Trump's 90-day foreign aid pause applies to new and existing assistance, according to a State Department memo seen by Reuters on Friday, which also states that waivers have been issued for military financing for Israel and Egypt.

Marco Rubio spoke to Netanyahu from Washington on Wednesday night to "underscore that maintaining the United States' steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for President Trump," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is drawing the ire of many on the left after the progressive politician voted to confirm Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. The unanimous vote, 99-0, handed President Donald Trump his first confirmed Cabinet member on the same day as his inauguration.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Thursday that the Jewish state has Washington’s “steadfast support,” according to Tammy Bruce, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman.

President Donald Trump’s new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, pledged the administration’s “steadfast support” for the State of Israel in a phone conversation on Wednesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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

The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trump's secretary of state.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio from Florida became the first of President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees to be sworn into office on Tuesday, where he emphasized that U.S. foreign policy under Trump will put American needs first.

The Senate confirmed Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, on Monday as America’s 72nd secretary of state, putting a former political rival of President Trump at the helm of American diplomacy.