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February 6 – February 12
Secretary Rubio is traveling to Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary. In Germany, he will lead the U.S. delegation at the 62nd Munich Security Conference.
Here’s what happened at State this week. ⤵️
- 🌐 We advanced the next era of nuclear arms control.
- 💎 The U.S. leads on critical minerals.
- ⛷️🇺🇸 Vice President JD Vance and Secretary Rubio cheered on Team USA athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
In a recent Substack article, Secretary Rubio discussed the next era of nuclear arms control.
Moving forward, “we will maintain a robust, credible, and modernized nuclear deterrent,” Secretary Rubio wrote. The Department will set high standards for all nuclear peers and negotiate only from a position of strength while pursuing genuine reductions in global nuclear threats.
Secretary Rubio continued, “No one understands that difficult deals are often the only ones worth having more than President Trump, who has repeatedly underscored the awesome power of nuclear weapons and his desire to reduce global nuclear threats.”
On February 6, President Trump signed an Executive Order that established the America First Arms Transfer Strategy. This strategy positioned the American industrial base as the Arsenal of Freedom for the United States and all partners and allies. Read more about the America First Arms Transfer Strategy in the White House fact sheet.
 Secretary Marco Rubio delivers opening remarks at the Critical Minerals Ministerial at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., February 4, 2026. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
The United States is leading on critical minerals. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Caleb Orr briefed the press on the successful outcomes of the Critical Minerals Ministerial.
At the ministerial, the United States:
- Announced new bilateral framework agreements that were signed with Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru.
- Launched the FORGE.
- Announced joint projects totaling over $30 billion to make our supply chains more secure and create opportunities for responsible investment in mining, processing, and recycling across the Americas.
"The Western Hemisphere partners in attendance are integral to creating a global network of likeminded nations and building transparent supply chains that generate good jobs and expand the list of reliable suppliers in the region," Orr said.
 Secretary Marco Rubio greets Team USA athletes at the Team USA Welcome Experience ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan on February 5, 2026. (Official State Department photo by Mateo S. Melendy)
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary Rubio continued their support for Team USA athletes in Milan.
These athletes "represent the best of American excellence," Secretary Rubio said on X. "Let's go Team USA."
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