A photo of Marco Rubio sparks comments during his trip to China
Marco Rubio, the new United States Secretary of State, is on an official trip to Beijing. He is accompanying President Donald Trump for an important meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. However, before arriving at his destination, an image of the official has captured the attention of many social media users.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung was the one who shared the photograph online. In the image, Rubio can be seen relaxed during the flight to Asia. What caught the attention of internet users the most was not the content of the diplomatic meeting, but the clothes the secretary was wearing: a sports sweatshirt.
Many social media users quickly compared Rubio's attire to the style typically worn by the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. This comparison generated a significant stir and various comments, as Rubio is known for being a constant critic of the Venezuelan government. The visual coincidence proved ironic for many followers of international politics.
Despite the online controversy over his clothing, the main objective of the trip is strictly diplomatic. Rubio and Trump are expected to discuss key issues regarding trade and security with Xi Jinping's government. The photo remains a curious anecdote in the midst of a high-relevance international agenda.