Marco Rubio will unveil a broad foreign policy vision Wednesday at a speech at the Council of Foreign Relations, pitching a muscular military and economic presence across the globe.
The Florida Republican sits on the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee and for more than a year has looked to separate himself from competing presidential hopefuls by gaining and highlighting his expertise on foreign policy.
In a field where few presidential candidates have much national security experience, Rubio has pitched his bona fides as a way to prove he is more than just a first-term senator.
The three pillars of Rubio’s foreign policy are: American strength, protection of the American economy and moral clarity regarding America’s core values.
“What principles should govern the exercise of our power? The 21st century requires a president who will answer that question with clarity and consistency,” Rubio will say, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks.
Rubio will stress that he intends to “adequately fund our military” in order to prepare for future, unanticipated challenges.
“This would be a priority even in times of peace and stability, though the world today is neither,” he will say.
Rubio will also promise aggressive American pursuit of global commercial interests, pledging that violators of international agreements who threaten the economy will be punished.
“Gone will be the days of debating where a ship is flagged or whether it is our place to criticize territorial expansionism,” Rubio will say. “In this century, businesses must have the freedom to operate around the world with confidence.”
In the third part of his speech, the presidential candidate will pitch American democracy and values as a fundamental force for good in the world. He will continue to advocate for foreign aid, honor and support existing alliances and vouch for minorities facing potential persecution, according to prepared remarks.
“We must recognize that our nation is a global leader not just because it has superior arms, but because it has superior aims,” he will say.