Rubio: US and China Have ‘No Choice’ but to Talk
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 2, 2026, stating that the United States and China have “no choice” but to maintain dialogue despite “significant irritants” and “long-term problems” in the bilateral relationship. The remarks, delivered during a hearing on the FY27 State Department budget request, come just weeks after President Donald Trump’s historic state visit to China in May 2026, where both sides agreed to a new framework of “constructive strategic stability.”
Context
Rubio’s testimony reflects a pivotal moment in US-China relations, which have oscillated between intense competition and cautious engagement. The hearing occurred one day after Trump’s return from a three-day state visit to Beijing (May 13-15), in which Rubio participated as part of the US delegation — his first visit to China since becoming Secretary of State despite being under Chinese sanctions. During that visit, Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to establish a “constructive strategic stability” framework intended to guide bilateral relations for the next three years or more, as reported by Chinese state media.
Key Developments
According to Guancha, Rubio told senators that “the Chinese government and the US government have to speak. There’s really not a choice here.” He acknowledged that “obviously, there are some very serious irritants in our relationship with China. Some of them are long-term problems that we know we have to address.” The Secretary of State framed the necessity of dialogue in terms of strategic stability, stating that both countries — as the world’s two largest economies and most powerful militaries — must communicate to “de-escalate potential points of conflict that could lead to something broader.”
Rubio identified several key areas of friction, including supply chain dependencies, Taiwan policy differences, and long-term strategic competition. On supply chains, he emphasized the need to reduce US dependence on any single country to prevent being “cut off at any time, used as leverage against the US, punished, or held hostage during a conflict.” On Taiwan, Rubio reiterated that “US policy on the Taiwan issue has not changed in any way,” even as Trump had previously stated he did not want to see Taiwan move toward independence and temporarily shelved a decision on arms sales to Taiwan.
The Secretary of State described the administration’s approach as an effort to “maintain a period of strategic stability, while also recognizing that there are areas in our relationship where we will face challenges not just for years, but potentially for decades.” He added, “This is the responsible thing to do. We have no choice… Maintaining communication between China and the US serves the interests of both countries, and I believe it is equally beneficial to the world.”
Analysis
Rubio’s testimony marks a notable evolution from his previous强硬 (hardline) stance on China during his Senate career. Chinese media has observed that “after visiting China, Rubio seems to have learned how to speak differently.” The shift reflects both the outcomes of Trump’s May visit and the practical constraints facing the administration, including the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, which has strained American resources and attention.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who met with Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February 2026, has consistently emphasized that “dialogue is better than confrontation, cooperation is better than conflict, and win-win is better than zero-sum between China and the US,” as documented by the Chinese government. The two sides agreed at that meeting to implement the consensus reached by Presidents Xi and Trump.
However, fundamental differences remain unresolved. The US continues to pursue policies aimed at reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains, particularly in advanced technology sectors. The Taiwan issue remains a potential flashpoint, with Xi Jinping having told Trump during the May visit that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations” and that if handled improperly, it could lead to “clashes and even conflicts.”
What’s Next
The “constructive strategic stability” framework agreed upon in May will face its first major test in the coming months as both sides seek to operationalize the concept. Key questions include whether the US will follow through on Trump’s apparent shift on Taiwan policy, how the ongoing Iran war will affect US capacity to engage with China, and whether Rubio’s more conciliatory tone will translate into concrete policy changes. The Guardian noted that the hearing also covered the Iran war extensively, highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape in which US-China diplomacy is now embedded. For now, both Washington and Beijing appear committed to keeping channels open — not out of trust, but out of necessity.