Marco Rubio mocked over tiny red-carpet welcome in Canada for G7: ‘Rolling out a doormat for a doormat’

Marco Rubio mocked over tiny red-carpet welcome in Canada for G7: ‘Rolling out a doormat for a doormat’
Marco Rubio’s arrival in Canada for the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting grabbed attention because of the small red carpet rolled out for him on the tarmac (Tierney L Cross/Getty Images, @hello_dizzyme/X)

QUEBEC, CANADA: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s arrival in Canada for the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting grabbed attention because of a notably small red carpet rolled out for him on the tarmac.

A user posed the photo of the red carpet on X, writing, "I can't sleep either. I'm trying to find things to laugh at like this tiny red carpet they put out for Rubio when he arrived for the G7."

This quickly became a viral moment, sparking online mockery and fueling speculation about the strained relationship between Canada and the Trump administration, reported Irish Star.



 

Marco Rubio’s G7 visit begins with awkward welcome amid trade tensions

Marco Rubio landed in La Malbaie, Quebec, on Wednesday, March 12, just hours after America's new steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and the European Union took effect.

The move has triggered retaliatory measures from key American allies, escalating concerns of a full-blown trade war. Now, Rubio faces a tense two-day summit with representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and host nation Canada, all nations increasingly frustrated with US economic policies.

LA MALBAIE, CANADA - MARCH 13: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly shakes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's hand before a bilateral meeting at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu for the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting on March 13, 2025 in La Malbaie, Canada. The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major democracies - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, will meet on March 12-14. (Photo by Andrej Ivanov/Getty Images)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly shakes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's hand before a bilateral meeting at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu for the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting on March 13, 2025 in La Malbaie, Canada (Andrej Ivanov/Getty Images)

Rubio is likely to be met with a wave of criticism from former allies within the G7, especially from the host nation, Canada. Trump’s approach toward Canada has been particularly combative, with ongoing remarks about it becoming the 51st US state, the imposition of new tariffs, and repeated jabs at its leaders.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Wednesday, "In every meeting, I will raise the issue of tariffs to coordinate a response with the Europeans and to put pressure on the Americans."

She added, "The only constant in this unjustifiable trade war seems to be President Trump's talk of annexing our country through economic coercion. Yesterday, he called our border a fictional line and repeated his disrespectful 51st state rhetoric."

Senator Rubio attempted to minimize the significance of Trump’s “51st state” comments, implying that the president was merely expressing an idea he saw as advantageous. He stressed that the G7 summit would not revolve around any plans to annex Canada but would instead focus on critical global matters, including the situation in Ukraine.

Addressing the issue of tariffs, Rubio, speaking to reporters during a refueling stop in Ireland en route to Canada from discussions with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, described them as a strategic move by Trump intended to protect American industry.

LA MALBAIE, CANADA - MARCH 13: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives before a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu for the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting on March 13, 2025 in La Malbaie, Canada. The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major democracies - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, will meet on March 12-14. (Photo by Andrej Ivanov/Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives before a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu for the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting on March 13, 2025 in La Malbaie, Canada (Andrej Ivanov/Getty Images)

Rubio expressed, "I think it is quite possible that we could do these things and at the same time deal in a constructive way with our allies and friends and partners on all the other issues that we work together on."

"And that's what I expect out of the G7 and Canada," he stated.

When asked whether he expected a chilly reception from global leaders, Rubio brushed off the notion. "I don't know, should I be? I mean, they've invited us to come. We intend to go. The alternative is to not go. I think that would actually make things worse, not better."

Marco Rubio faces G7 allies amid tensions over Russia and ceasefire talks

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stands with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) during a rally at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition on November 6, 2022, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Donald Trump stands with Sen Marco Rubio during a rally at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition on November 6, 2022, in Miami, Florida (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepped into the G7 Foreign Ministers summit under intense scrutiny, not only because of the Trump administration’s trade policies but also for its evolving stance on Russia.

Notably absent from last month’s G20 meeting in South Africa citing concerns over topics like climate change, Rubio now finds himself at the center of critical discussions on global stability, including a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

Rubio’s recent diplomatic efforts took him to Saudi Arabia alongside National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, where they brokered a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has tentatively accepted. Russia’s response remains uncertain, and with Trump advocating for Moscow’s return to the G7 reversing a decade-old stance, America’s closest allies are now uneasy.

While Washington insists existing sanctions against Russia remain intact, European nations worry that Trump's push to restore Russia’s G8 membership undermines their coordinated efforts against Moscow. Britain and France are exploring a multinational force to oversee any ceasefire, but the US has refrained from backing such an initiative.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for a virtual summit with allied nations to discuss potential security measures, emphasizing that American support is crucial.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underscored the importance of G7 unity, declaring prior to the meeting, "The way to peace goes via strength and unity - a language that Putin understands."

Marco Rubio’s small red carpet welcome in Canada leaves Internet amused

Senator Marco Rubio’s red carpet moment at the G7 summit in Canada has unexpectedly become a viral sensation because of the small size of the carpet. Social media users wasted no time poking fun at the seemingly tiny welcome carpet, drawing humorous comparisons and throwing political jabs.

Some users couldn’t help but recall Rubio’s past political clashes, with one writing, “Well, this little carpet was very appropriate in more ways than one. After all, remember his then-opponent, now boss, Donald Trump, referred to him in debates as ‘Little Marco!’”

Another quipped, “It’s like a doormat.”



 



 

Beyond the carpet itself, Rubio’s attire also caught attention. One user joked, “What are with those pants? Are they from when he was 12 and has now had a growth spurt? And omg, is he wearing heels??”



 

Others pointed out the practical issues with the placement of the carpet, with one user stating, “Right into a puddle.”

Another added, “That’s a commercial doormat. The irony of rolling out a doormat for a doormat!”



 



 

One user commented, "Got what he deserves."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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