On the second day of the Munich Security Conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Europe and America ‘belong together.’ His speech, while echoing the Trump administration’s concerns about Western decline, adopted a notably constructive tone, underscoring the deep and intertwined friendship between the two continents.
Mr. Rubio declared, ‘We want Europe to be strong,’ reminding attendees that the two world wars of the 20th century cemented a shared destiny. This sentiment, particularly the line about their destinies being ‘intertwined,’ was met with applause.
Mirroring remarks made by Vice President JD Vance at the same conference last year, Mr. Rubio delivered stark warnings about mass migration, the concept of ‘civilizational erasure,’ and the erosion of the rules-based international order. He criticized post-World War II institutions like the United Nations, suggesting they were in dire need of reform. ‘We in America have no interest in being polite, and orderly caretakers of the West‘s managed decline,’ he stated.
However, unlike Mr. Vance, who had previously chided Europeans for marginalizing far-right parties, Mr. Rubio focused on centuries of shared history. He expressed the United States’ desire to collaborate with European nations rather than oppose them. ‘Under President Trump, the United States will once again take on the task of renewal and restoration,’ he proclaimed. ‘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, prompting Wolfgang Ischinger, the conference chairman, to note a ‘sigh of relief’ from the audience, indicating that Mr. Rubio had largely delivered the friendly address European leaders had been hoping for.
Earlier in the conference, European leaders had begun to outline new visions for the trans-Atlantic alliance, imagining a future less reliant on American defense and commerce, and acknowledging a divergence in some core values. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a revitalized intercontinental friendship but implied that Washington, under a second Trump term, might have ‘challenged, and possibly squandered’ its claim to global leadership. French President Emmanuel Macron, in an evening address, subtly critiqued the Trump administration by lamenting Europe being ‘vilified’ as a hub of uncontrolled immigration and restricted free speech.
Upcoming speakers at the conference include British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Key developments from the conference:
- Ukraine: Mr. Rubio opted out of a meeting with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Negotiations between Ukraine and Russian officials are slated to restart in Geneva next week, following limited progress so far.
- Greenland: The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland are scheduled to speak after their meeting with Mr. Rubio. The Trump administration is reportedly seeking an expanded U.S. presence or increased control over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory which President Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to acquire.
- Nuclear weapons: Despite U.S. assurances this week regarding its nuclear shield for NATO allies, Europe is developing contingency plans. Chancellor Merz revealed Germany has initiated discussions with France, a nuclear power, about establishing an independent European nuclear deterrent.
Ursula von der Leyen, representing Europe’s executive arm, presented a bold vision for a more independent and powerful European Union. Her suggestions, once considered radical, signify a significant shift from previous stances, hinting at a potential decoupling from the United States. Von der Leyen emphasized the need for a ‘European backbone,’ advocating for stronger shared defense capabilities and quicker decision-making processes, possibly through smaller group consensus rather than unanimous agreement. She highlighted closer cooperation with ‘closest partners’ including Britain, Norway, Iceland, and Canada.
She stated, ‘In today’s fractured world, Europe must become more independent – there is no other choice.’ She countered the notion that independence contradicts the transatlantic bond, arguing it strengthens it. This aligns with the Trump administration’s push for a stronger Europe, a point Rubio echoed earlier in his speech, asserting that America desires a strong Europe because their destinies are ‘intertwined.’
Von der Leyen also subtly criticized the Trump administration, referencing recent tensions over Greenland and digital regulations. She highlighted that ‘The European way of life – our democracies, the democratic foundations and the trust of our citizens — is being challenged in new ways, on everything from territories to tariffs to tech regulations.’
During a Q&A session, Rubio addressed the U.S.-China relationship, acknowledging President Trump’s positive remarks. He emphasized the necessity of communication with China, calling it ‘geopolitical malpractice’ to avoid conversations. While he noted that national interests wouldn’t always align, he expressed hope for cooperation. He advised European nations to maintain positive dialogues with China but urged caution against compromising their national interests. A summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is planned for April in Beijing.
Regarding the Ukraine war, Rubio stated that the U.S. is unsure of Russia’s seriousness in ending the conflict but will continue to ‘test it.’ He affirmed that the United States would maintain pressure through sanctions and continue providing weapons for Ukraine’s defense.
Rubio also commented on the positive impact of German immigrants on America, humorously noting they ‘dramatically improved the quality of our beer,’ without elaborating on why current immigration might be viewed differently.
In a historical overview, Rubio praised the European ancestry of American colonialists, particularly Scotch-Irish settlers and the ‘cowboy archetype’ in westward expansion, focusing on the benefits of historic exploration without mentioning indigenous populations.
Following Rubio’s speech, Wolfgang Ischinger, the conference chairman, noted a ‘collective sigh of relief’ in the room, contrasting it with the negative reception of Vice President JD Vance’s speech the previous year.
Rubio adopted a far-right stance, claiming that ‘civilizational erasure’ poses a threat to both the United States and Europe.
He reiterated that ‘The fate of Europe will never be irrelevant to our own,’ expressing America’s desire to ‘revitalize an old friendship’ and a ‘reinvigorated alliance.’
Rubio further warned against an alliance ‘crippled by the malaise of hopelessness and complacency,’ urging allies not to be paralyzed by fears of climate change or new technologies.
He invited Europe to join the U.S. in a renewed vision for the future, stating, ‘It is a path we have walked together before, and can walk again.’ He added that the U.S. seeks allies ‘who can defend themselves so that no adversary can ever be tempted to test our collective strength.’ His tone was perceived as more diplomatic than that of Vice President JD Vance’s previous address.
Rubio criticized ‘mass migration’ as an ‘urgent threat to the fabric of our societies and the survival of our civilization itself,’ echoing the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy’s warning of Europe’s ‘civilizational erasure.’
He emphasized the need for Western nations to reindustrialize, suggesting collaboration on commercial space travel, artificial intelligence, and critical mineral supply chains. He also insisted on limiting cross-border migration, asserting that this stance is not xenophobia.
Rubio spoke of the essential ‘cultural connections of the West’ that must be defended, emphasizing spiritual and cultural ties beyond economic or military links. He did not, however, acknowledge the West’s history of embracing immigration from other parts of the world.
He conceded that previous beliefs in a liberal, borderless world were ‘foolish ideas’ that ignored human nature and historical lessons, resulting in significant costs. He stated that President Trump would lead the ‘renewal and restoration’ of the United States. He ended with a lighter note, mentioning Europe’s cultural contributions, including ancient universities, scholarship, and bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, which drew laughter from the audience.
Rubio concluded his points on the intertwined destinies of the U.S. and Europe, asserting that ‘We believe Europe must survive.’ He also denounced the ‘dangerous delusion’ of a borderless world where everyone is a ‘citizen of the world,’ arguing it led to misjudgments about adversarial nations and an ‘unprecedented wave of mass migration.’