Marco Rubio's Article: The Accusation of 'Isolationism' Against America is Baseless

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, wrote in an article for Fox News that within just three weeks of Donald Trump's administration, the United States clearly demonstrated that 'American leadership' in the world has returned. He emphasized that 'America First' does not mean 'America Alone.' Rubio states that a golden age for the Americas has begun, prioritizing America means protecting our region, which includes preventing the influx of deadly drugs like fentanyl into American cities, deporting illegal immigrants and criminals, and stopping the economic, technological, and political influence of Communist China across our hemisphere. The Secretary of State of the Trump administration wrote: For clear reasons, I decided to dedicate my first trip as Secretary of State of the Trump administration to five of our strongest democratic partners. This region belongs to us, but it was often neglected during previous administrations. Rubio mentions that Panama is escaping the trap of Chinese debt. El Salvador agreed to accept deported migrants of any nationality. Costa Rica is expanding its cooperation with us in the fight against drugs, crime, and terrorism. Guatemala committed to accepting 40% more deportation flights. And with our help, in the Dominican Republic, the U.S. seized a plane belonging to a senior official of the 'Venezuelan regime' that was being used to circumvent U.S. sanctions. The U.S. Secretary of State wrote in part of this article: These advancements and many others are now possible because the countries of our hemisphere know that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, we will be resolute in confronting our enemies, generous in rewarding our allies, and confident in securing our national interests. He stated that China had increased its influence in the Panama Canal region for years, threatening the neutrality of this canal and U.S. security. But just one warning from the United States about the dangers of China was enough for Panama to commit to exiting China's 'Belt and Road' initiative. Marco Rubio added: The difference between these last three weeks and the past four years cannot be underestimated. Just a few months ago, the entire region seemed to be leaning towards China. Countries were falling prey to criminals and cartels one after another. 'Authoritarian regimes' in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba were trying to exploit our diplomats. But this will no longer happen. As I said at my press conference in Costa Rica, these three regimes are enemies of humanity. These initial successes of the 'America First' agenda demonstrate several important points. He continued, the first point that these successes prove is that they show America prioritizes not only its own interests but also the interests of its allies in this hemisphere. The U.S. Secretary of State added: These countries are naturally aligned with us, not with a distant dictatorship like China. They will only lose this alignment if the United States cedes the field to its rivals. The second point according to Rubio is that: These successes show that 'America First' does not mean 'America Alone.' The accusation of isolationism is baseless because this administration (the Trump administration) will enter into agreements with its international partners wherever possible, but these agreements will always be based on its own interests. Marco Rubio states: Such an approach in foreign policy is pragmatic, but it does not mean abandoning our values. Rather, it is based on realism, not idealistic ideology. And this policy has already led to success. He concluded by writing: I look forward to similar, or even greater, successes in my future trips. Other countries around the world, from our region to the farthest corners of the earth, have understood that America has become powerful again. And in cooperation with us, the Americas will flourish once more.