Portugal

In a room where China was the elephant, Rubio asked for security and Rangel offered ‘screening’

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Briefings

In October 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Portuguese Minister Paulo Rangel addressed media questions regarding China's strategic influence in Europe. Rubio emphasized the need for European diversification away from Beijing, citing a 95% reliance on pharmaceuticals from a single region as a national security risk. He also highlighted vulnerabilities in submarine cables, noting malicious actors could threaten critical infrastructure during conflicts. Rangel explained that Portugal's investment screening follows EU regulations, which were updated in July 2026 to include national mechanisms for evaluating foreign investments, particularly in critical sectors like energy and telecommunications.

Key points

• Marco Rubio stated that Portugal is an ideal entry point for US technology, contrasting this with concerns about over-reliance on China for 95% of pharmaceuticals.
• Paulo Rangel confirmed that Portugal's investment screening follows EU regulations, which were updated in July 2026 to include national mechanisms for evaluating foreign investments.

Context and limitations

The briefing covers diplomatic responses to media inquiries in Lisbon on October 8, 2026. It does not include specific data on investment volumes, the full text of the new EU regulation, or the timeline for the implementation of national screening mechanisms.

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