Marco Rubio Defends Xi Jinping's US Visit as Essential Despite Deep Disagreements

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Xi Jinping's planned visit to the United States as essential, even as he acknowledged deep disagreements between the two nations. In his remarks, Rubio stated that Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America's military needs, signaling a potential shift in how the US balances its support for Taiwan with its own defense priorities. He also expressed hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend the G20 summit. The comments come amid heightened tensions over Taiwan and the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Rubio emphasizing the importance of direct engagement with Xi despite persistent bilateral friction. The visit's timing and agenda remain unspecified, but Rubio's stance underscores the administration's focus on managing great-power competition through dialogue. No further details were provided on the arms sales calculus or Putin's potential G20 participation.