Once a critic, always a critic.
Senator Marco Rubio has again taken the role of opposition as Trump eases up on imposing heavy restrictions against Chinese tech company ZTE. However, despite the opposition, Trump and Rubio find themselves in the same corner, mostly during discussions about China and its interests. Tampa Bay Times reports that Trump gave Rubio a call to discuss ZTE and other issues concerning the Chinese.
Trump made the call from his Bedminster weekend, but it wasn't only Rubio that received a call from the president. Trump also called Vice President Mike Pence, Senator Cory Gardner, Representative Mark Meadows, and Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.
During the voting of the National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, Rubio was one of those who voted against it. This was due to the act being softened by the removal of provisions that impose penalties on ZTE for reasons of national security and technology transfers. His other colleagues, however, came to see the president's position.
Washington Post says that Rubio has turned out to be Trump's most active ally in calling out China's policies and enabling caution against the country. Rubio is also active on Twitter, actively reminding the Trump administration that China was beating them at every turn. Rubio has generally opposed the Trump administration's decisions, including the initial choice for Secretary of State as well as taxes. When it came to China, however, Trump found Rubio mostly in his corner.
It might be to further his own aspirations. Marco Rubio was one of those who fought for the Republican nomination for the presidency, which Trump eventually won. Multiple sources have raised their thoughts that Rubio is eyeing a second try for the nomination, which might be why he is supportive of the Trump administration's anti-China policies.
It has also been the same issues he echoed as a possible candidate for the presidency. In years prior, China has been a big topic of debate for Rubio. He has been vocal about China as a national security threat to the United States.
His vote against the NDAA, according to him, still echoed his thoughts about China. He stated this was the first NDAA he voted against, simply because the bill didn't display how big of a security threat China has been to the US.
