US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States is not isolated from the world, but instead reforms foreign policy in order to make it more efficient and strategically advantageous for the country. He announced this on Tuesday, May 20, during a speech on the Senate Committee on International Relations, representing the budget request of the State Department for the 2026 Financial Year, Reuters .
"In 18 weeks I have visited 18 countries. It is not very similar to a departure," Rubio said, emphasizing the active US participation in world affairs. He added that he was talking to some foreign ministers, including Ukrainian representatives, more often than with his children.
The main message of the State Secretary - the State Department's reform is not aimed at reducing the American presence in the world, but to improve its effectiveness. Rubio explained that the United States remains the largest donor in the world - even more than 10 other countries combined - and criticized China's approach, which, in his opinion, did not provide humanitarian assistance, but only "issues debts".
Rubio also severely criticized the current US foreign assistance system, noting that only 12 cents from each dollar really reach the recipients. In this regard, he announced the reduction of inefficient programs and focus on "reasonable, effective help" that strengthens the US position in the world.
Key reforms include the transfer of Washington's powers to regional bureaus and embassies so that programs are made closer to the local context. "The State Department should become a heart and brain of foreign policy, not just an executor, but a source of ideas," he stressed.
Rubio also answered senators' questions about immigration policy, support of Ukraine and other topical topics, emphasizing the strategic importance of maintaining the global presence of the United States.
