Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined CBS News’ Margaret Brennan on Sunday’s “Face the Nation,” where he was pressed about the implications of President Trump’s tariff plan.
“Isn’t there a risk that China will ultimately be the winner?” Brennan questioned about the trade war. “If it’s too costly to deal with the United States, won’t they benefit?”
“Well, actually, China and Canada are involved in a mini trade war right now,” Rubio replied.
He argued that Trump’s tariffs were a way for the U.S. to gain international economic standing after letting other countries off easier over the last several decades.
“For 30 or 40 years, we have allowed countries to treat us unfairly in global trade, much of it during the Cold War because we wanted them to be rich and prosperous because they were our allies in the Cold War,” Rubio said. “But now, that has to change.”
Trump’s tariff plan is impacting the country’s closest neighbors, as Canada and Mexico were hit with a 25 percent tariff. The plan has come under criticism as concerns grow about worsening relations with allied countries. Rubio attempted to dispel those concerns, as Trump tried last week.
“This is global. It’s not against Canada … it’s not against Mexico, it’s not against the EU, it’s everybody,” he said.
Rubio said once there was a baseline level of fairness and reciprocity, then the U.S. would engage in negotiations about new trade agreements.
“So, this is all just about leverage to get bilateral, not North American free trade deals?” Brennan questioned.
“It’s fairness. It’s resetting baseline,” Rubio said. “And then from there, we can work on details and so forth.”
