On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department held a briefing led by MS BRUCE, who began by acknowledging the busy schedule of the White House and the importance of the discussions on international issues.
MS BRUCE welcomed attendees and recounted a brief encounter between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and reporters in the bullpen, which sparked laughter and camaraderie among the press members.
During the briefing, MS BRUCE provided several significant updates on U.S. foreign affairs.
One of the key announcements was regarding Secretary Rubio’s recent trip to Brussels, where he attended the NATO foreign ministers’ conference.
During the conference, he engaged in crucial conversations with NATO Allies concerning the need to increase defense spending, a topic that has gained renewed attention under the Trump administration.
MS BRUCE noted that since the November election, four NATO Allies—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—have publicly expressed their support for President Trump’s call to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP.
Additionally, ten other NATO Allies announced increases in their defense budgets since the current administration took office in January.
Secretary Rubio emphasized the importance of NATO becoming stronger and more viable through enhanced capabilities among member nations.
During his time in Brussels, Secretary Rubio also held discussions with Indo-Pacific partners regarding the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to security and prosperity in the region.
MS BRUCE highlighted the U.S. commitment to ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains free from coercive and unfair trade practices by China.
The briefing also included an update on the U.S. response to the recent earthquake that struck regions in Burma and Thailand on March 28th.
The U.S. has allocated $9 million in humanitarian aid to support the people of Burma through established partners.
A team of experts was dispatched to the disaster zone, with a primary focus on assessing and addressing the dire conditions on the ground.
Their mission includes directing vital assistance to the most affected communities by providing emergency shelter, food, medical support, clean water, and sanitation.
Moving on to regional matters, MS BRUCE reported on President Trump’s recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The discussions revolved around several topics, prominently the situation in Gaza and the urgent need for Hamas to release all hostages held in the territory.
MS BRUCE reiterated the U.S. positions of standing firmly with Israel while advocating for peace in the region.
She also conveyed President Trump’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
During the meeting, the President expressed the administration’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation with Iran, reinforcing that a deal would be preferable to the alternatives.
After her announcements, Ms. Bruce opened the floor for questions, with Matt Lee from the Associated Press first seeking clarification on several issues.
Lee inquired about the status of three Americans who were convicted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in connection to a coup, asking if they had been repatriated.
Ms. Bruce confirmed that the U.S. government was aware of the transfer of the detained citizens to U.S. custody and emphasized the department’s highest priority: the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.
Lee followed up by asking about forthcoming discussions in Istanbul, concerning U.S. and Russian embassy operations.
MS BRUCE confirmed that U.S. and Russian delegations would meet in Istanbul on April 10th, specifying that the discussions would solely focus on embassy operations and would not cover political or security issues, including the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
The inquiry then shifted to recent cuts in U.S. aid, with Lee seeking clarification on reductions affecting USAID and the World Food Program.
MS BRUCE responded that 85 percent of existing USAID programs with the World Food Program remain active, disputing claims that the U.S. has completely withdrawn support.
However, she acknowledged that some programs, notably in Yemen and Afghanistan, had been suspended due to concerns over funding benefiting terrorist groups, including the Houthis and the Taliban.
The urgency of auditing and maintaining oversight of foreign aid initiatives was emphasized, with MS BRUCE indicating a commitment to ensure taxpayer money is utilized properly.
Further questions from Andrea Mitchell focused on the upcoming Iran talks, asking for clarification regarding the nature of the discussions and whether U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would be leading indirect negotiations.
MS BRUCE reaffirmed that Witkoff would attend, but she could not comment on the specifics of the meetings or negotiations at this stage.
On the subject of visas and the treatment of international students, Mitchell raised concerns regarding mass cancellations of student visas, particularly in response to minor infractions like traffic violations.
MS BRUCE stated that individual visa rejections are typically not disclosed due to privacy concerns, though she reiterated the department’s stance that visa revocations are in place to secure U.S. borders and communities.
The presence of humanitarian crises in areas like Gaza and the internal dynamics of South Sudan were also discussed, with MS BRUCE addressing the U.S. response to human rights concerns and migration issues associated with conflict.
While acknowledging the tumultuous conditions impacting regions like Gaza, she reiterated the ongoing U.S. commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid where possible and advocating for peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
MS BRUCE emphasized the importance of establishing ceasefires and addressing the humanitarian needs of civilians trapped in conflict zones, asserting that Hamas has continuously obstructed these efforts.
In addressing the crisis in Ukraine, MS BRUCE noted the disturbing reports of foreign fighters and the necessity of recognizing the broader implications of Chinese and North Korean involvement in the ongoing conflict.
As questions surrounding the future stance of U.S. diplomacy with Iran emerged, MS BRUCE reiterated that the goal remains to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities, while avoiding speculation on military alternatives or actions.
The meeting concluded after numerous inquiries regarding the operational capacity and overarching goals of the U.S. in international conflicts, foreign aid, and embassy relations.
MS BRUCE expressed gratitude to attendees for their presence and insights and looked forward to continuing discussions in the next briefing scheduled for Thursday.
image source from：https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-april-8-2025/
