Despite Chinese Sanctions, Marco Rubio Set To Visit China With Trump: What We Know
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Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 17:06 IST
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to China with Donald Trump this month, despite previous Beijing sanctions, to help ease concerns over Trump's visit preparation.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to China later this month alongside Donald Trump, according to sources cited by the South China Morning Post. Rubio had earlier shown little interest in previous invitations from Beijing but now appears likely to join the visit.
Sources familiar with the matter, told South China Morning Post that Rubio’s participation could help ease concerns in Beijing about the lack of preparation surrounding Trump’s upcoming trip. Chinese officials have reportedly expressed frustration over the limited groundwork ahead of the visit, which is expected to take place between March 31 and April 2.
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Rubio is notably the first sitting US secretary of state to have been sanctioned by China. Beijing imposed the sanctions in 2020 when he was still a US senator. The measures were introduced in retaliation for US sanctions against Chinese officials accused of human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, and again after Washington targeted mainland and Hong Kong officials following the 2019 protests in Hong Kong.
China has not clarified whether those sanctions would be waived to allow Rubio to enter the country. When asked about the matter earlier, China’s foreign ministry said maintaining high-level communication between the two countries remained necessary. Rubio himself appeared uncertain about the issue last month, saying, “We’ll find out when I go."
Sources also indicated Rubio may have previously been reluctant to join the trip because trade discussions are expected to dominate the agenda. Economic negotiations between the two countries have largely been handled by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent is scheduled to meet Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Paris later this week for another round of trade talks aimed at identifying potential outcomes ahead of the planned meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Rubio’s long-standing reputation as a China hawk has also contributed to hesitation about the trip. Since entering the US Senate in 2010, he has frequently criticised Beijing’s policies and described China as a major threat to American interests. He has been particularly outspoken on issues that Beijing considers sensitive, including the situation in Xinjiang, the status of Taiwan and political developments in Hong Kong.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington opposes any attempt to seize the island by force and remains committed to supplying Taiwan with defensive weapons.
Despite his previously hardline stance, Rubio has appeared to moderate some positions in line with Trump’s broader diplomatic approach toward Beijing. While Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods during his presidency, he has also signalled interest in reaching a broader agreement with China.
Analysts say Rubio is unlikely to skip a summit between Trump and Xi given its significance for global politics. If the trip proceeds as planned, Trump would become the first US president to visit China since his previous visit in 2017.
The sanctions imposed on Rubio in 2020 raised questions about whether he would be permitted to enter China, as such measures often restrict targeted individuals and their family members from travelling to the country.
Da Wei, director of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, said Rubio’s visit would be a positive development. He noted that while economic discussions between the two countries have clearly defined representatives, diplomatic and strategic issues require engagement from officials such as the US secretary of state.
Rubio has already held meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi twice since assuming his current role. Both interactions took place outside China on the sidelines of international gatherings, including their most recent encounter at the Munich Security Conference.
Ali Wyne, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, said Rubio’s dual role as secretary of state and acting national security adviser gives him considerable influence in shaping US policy toward China. He added that Chinese officials may see symbolic value in Rubio visiting Beijing after previously being sanctioned by the country, viewing it as a sign that political realities have reshaped Washington’s approach.
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