Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Munich Security Conference on Friday, delivering a speech that underscored the deep historical friendship between Europe and America. While echoing some of the Trump administration’s familiar warnings about Western decline, his tone was notably more constructive and amicable than previous U.S. addresses at the conference.
Rubio emphasized that Europe and America “belong together,” highlighting the intertwined destinies of the continents, especially in light of the two World Wars. This sentiment, particularly his remark that “the fate of Europe will never be irrelevant to our own,” was met with applause.
Despite this friendly overture, Rubio reiterated warnings about perceived threats like mass migration and “civilizational erasure,” and the decline of the rules-based international order, which he called “an overused term.” He also suggested that post-World War II institutions, such as the United Nations, require significant reform. He declared that America had “no interest in being polite, and orderly caretakers of the West‘s managed decline.”
However, a key difference from Vice President JD Vance’s address last year was Rubio’s emphasis on centuries of shared history and a desire for cooperation, not confrontation. He stated, “Under President Trump, the United States will once again take on the task of renewal and restoration. While we are prepared, if necessary, to do this alone, it is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe.”
The speech concluded with a brief standing ovation, and Wolfgang Ischinger, the conference chairman, noted a “sigh of relief” from the audience, indicating that Rubio had largely met European leaders’ hopes for a more conciliatory message.
The first day of the conference saw European leaders proposing new visions for the transatlantic alliance, advocating for less reliance on the U.S. for defense and commerce, and acknowledging evolving core values between Europe and the United States. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for an overhauled friendship, stating that the U.S.’s claim to global leadership might have been “challenged, and possibly squandered” under a second Trump term. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the “vilification” of Europe regarding immigration and free speech, a subtle reference to Trump and Vance.
Future speakers at the conference include British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Further Updates from the Conference:
U.S.-China Relations
When questioned about the U.S.-China relationship, especially given President Trump’s positive remarks on the ties, Rubio stressed the importance of communication. He stated, “We have an obligation to communicate with them and to talk. It would be geopolitical malpractice to not be in conversations with China.” While acknowledging that national interests often diverge, he noted that areas for cooperation could be found. He advised European nations to maintain positive dialogues with China but to remain cautious about compromising their own national interests. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are reportedly planning a summit in Beijing in April.
Ukraine War
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Rubio was asked about Russia’s commitment to ending the war. “We don’t know if the Russians are serious about ending the war,” he said, adding, “We’re going to continue to test it.” He confirmed that the United States would continue to apply pressure through sanctions and supply weapons for Ukraine’s defense. Notably, Rubio skipped a meeting between European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. Negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials are slated to resume next week in Geneva, though previous talks have seen limited progress.
Cultural Ties and Immigration
Rubio acknowledged the “cultural connections of the West,” asserting that they must be defended. “Our disagreements come from our profound sense of concern about a Europe with which we are connected, not just economically, not just militarily. We are connected spiritually and we are connected culturally,” he explained. He also made a lighthearted reference to German immigrants “dramatically improv[ing] the quality of our beer.” However, he did not elaborate on why German immigrants of the past were viewed favorably while other immigrant groups now face criticism within the Trump administration’s discourse.
Earlier in his speech, Rubio praised the European ancestry of American colonialists, specifically mentioning Scotch-Irish settlers who moved westward and the iconic “cowboy archetype.” He focused on the benefits of historical exploration and settlement, but notably omitted any mention of the indigenous peoples encountered by these colonists.
He criticized what he called the “dangerous delusion” of a world without borders where everyone is a “citizen of the world.” This idea, he argued, led to misjudgments about adversarial nations still seeking global economic dominance, particularly in energy resources, and contributed to an “unprecedented wave of mass migration.” He insisted on the necessity for countries to control who settles within their borders, clarifying that this stance “is not xenophobia.”
Reindustrialization and Alliance Strength
Rubio emphasized the need for Western nations to reindustrialize, suggesting collaboration on areas like commercial space travel, artificial intelligence, and critical mineral supply chains. He expressed a desire for an alliance not “crippled by the malaise of hopelessness and complacency,” urging allies to overcome fears of climate change and new technologies. He called for allies to be capable of self-defense, ensuring that “no adversary can ever be tempted to test our collective strength.”
He also stated, “We made these mistakes together,” referring to the belief in a liberal and borderless world. He urged for moving forward to rebuild, with President Trump leading this “renewal and restoration,” ideally “together with you, our friends here in Europe.”
Greenland’s Future
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland are scheduled to address the conference on Saturday evening, following their meeting with Mr. Rubio. The Trump administration is actively pursuing negotiations for an expanded U.S. presence in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, or even greater American control, a territory Mr. Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to own.
Nuclear Deterrence
Despite American and European officials reiterating the U.S.’s long-standing commitment to providing a nuclear shield for its NATO allies, Europe is exploring contingency plans. Germany’s Chancellor Merz announced on Friday that his country had initiated discussions with France, a nuclear power, about establishing a European nuclear deterrent independent of American support.
Rubio began his speech by reflecting on the Cold War era, highlighting the unified struggle of America and Western Europe against Communist nations and the eventual “downfall of the evil empire” of the Soviet Union. He noted that this triumph inadvertently led to the “delusional idea of the end of history,” a belief he now critiques.
Rubio engaged in a half-dozen meetings on Friday, including with senior officials from European nations, China, and Syria. He affirmed the U.S.’s support for a stable Syria that respects its neighbors and protects minority rights, following a meeting with Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani.
Attendees and Context
The event was billed as “The U.S. in the World.” American lawmakers present included Representative Nancy Pelosi, Senator Mark Kelly, and Senator Lindsey Graham. Speaker Mike Johnson had previously canceled the official House delegation’s travel due to a federal agency shutdown, suggesting Pelosi attended independently. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also attended and spoke earlier in the conference.