Tensions between the U.S. and China have been rising for some time now, and Rubio's appointment has widely been seen as a sign that Trump plans to maintain a hard line on China during his second term. One of the most outspoken China hawks in Washington, Rubio has introduced several bills targeting the Chinese Communist Party.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Panama late next week in his first official diplomatic trip late, amid heightened tensions over President Trump’s threats to retake the Panama

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Central America for his first trip as the top US diplomat. Rubio is expected to depart late next week for Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for an inclusive transition in Syria after the fall of leader Bashar al-Assad, in a call with powerbroker Turkey, the State Department said Thursday.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Thursday that the Jewish state has Washington’s “steadfast support,” according to Tammy Bruce, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Central America comes after President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to take the Panama Canal back.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will pay his first trip starting next week to Central American nations including Panama, where President Donald Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s unwavering support for Israel and addressed key regional issues in a call with Benjamin Netanyahu.

Marco Rubio's first trip as U.S. secretary of state to Central America to address migration and Panama Canal concerns.

The call came ahead of remarks from President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday calling for NATO allies to increase their defence spending to five per cent of their GDP.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Rubio would travel to Panama as well as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.