Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to accompany President Trump on his high-stakes trip to China, despite having previously been banned from entering the country.
In 2020, then-Senator Rubio was sanctioned by China and barred from entry over his criticism of Beijing’s human rights record, particularly its treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang and its crackdown in Hong Kong during national security law and pro-democracy protests.
“It’s necessary for high-level Chinese and U.S. officials to engage each other in appropriate ways,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in January of last year on the topic. “In the meantime, China will firmly defend its national interests.”
However, with President Trump at his side, China has now waived those sanctions and rolled out the red carpet.
🚨 WOW! China has formally WAIVED the sanctions on Marco Rubio — and will welcome him with the RED CARPET instead as he travels with President Trump
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 12, 2026
"Rubio coming is a big deal...in 2020, China sanctioned him and BANNED HIM. This time, they are waiving that."
"They'll be… pic.twitter.com/fvPzQvwrko
This comes as President Trump is set to be accompanied by a sizable entourage as he travels to China for high-stakes talks covering issues ranging from the ongoing conflict in Iran to broader economic and trade agreements.
Not only are top-level officials traveling with the president, but over a dozen major tech CEO's were also invited, including Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Tim Cook.
ON AF1 to CHINA:
— Libbey Dean (@LibbeyDean_) May 12, 2026
President Trump
Eric Trump
Lara Trump
Secretary Marco Rubio
Secretary Pete Hegseth
Ambassador Jamieson Greer
James Blair
Beau Harrison
Stephen Miller
Steven Cheung
Robert Gabriel
Michael Kratsios
Ross Worthington
Walt Nauta
Ambassador Monica Crowley
The White…
🇺🇲 🇨🇳 The delegation flying to Beijing with Trump:
— The Tectonic (@thetect0nic) May 11, 2026
Apple (Tim Cook)
Blackrock (Larry Fink)
Blackstone (Stephen Schwarzman)
Boeing (Kelly Ortberg)
Cargill (Brian Sikes)
Citi (Jane Fraser)
Cisco (Chuck Robbins)
Coherent (Jim Anderson)
GE Aerospace (H Lawrence Culp)
Goldman Sachs… pic.twitter.com/l5gA98kzjK
The talks are expected to begin on Thursday, and go through Friday.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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