Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a noteworthy speech at the Munich Security Conference, asserting that Europe and America ‘belong together.’ His address, given on the second day of the event, echoed some of the Trump administration’s concerns about Western decline but also struck a surprisingly constructive tone, underscoring the deep and intertwined friendship between the two continents. Rubio emphasized a desire for a strong Europe, recalling the lessons of 20th-century world wars as a reminder that ‘our destiny is and always will be intertwined with yours,’ a statement that drew applause.
During his speech, Rubio delved into the cultural connections of the West, stressing the need to defend them. He articulated a profound sense of concern for Europe, connecting not just economically and militarily, but also spiritually and culturally. He notably praised German immigrants for ‘dramatically improv[ing] the quality of our beer,’ though the implications for contemporary immigration policy were left unclear. He also highlighted the European ancestry of American colonialists, mentioning Scotch-Irish settlers and the ‘cowboy archetype’ as examples of historic exploration and settlement, without addressing the indigenous populations encountered.
Rubio challenged what he termed a ‘dangerous delusion’ of a global liberal democracy, a world ‘without borders where everyone became a citizen of the world.’ He argued this ‘foolish idea’ ignored human nature and historical lessons, leading to significant costs. He specifically denounced the concept of a united, globalized citizenship, claiming it fostered misconceptions about adversarial nations that still seek to dominate global commerce and energy resources. This outlook, he contended, led to open borders and ‘an unprecedented wave of mass migration’ that poses ‘an urgent threat to the fabric of our societies and the survival of our civilization itself,’ a sentiment aligning with the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy warning of ‘civilizational erasure.’ He underscored the United States’ commitment to ‘revitalize an old friendship’ and a ‘reinvigorated alliance,’ stating that ‘The fate of Europe will never be irrelevant to our own.’
He affirmed, ‘We believe Europe must survive,’ and highlighted the intertwined destinies of the US and Europe, shaped by two world wars. Rubio expressed the administration’s desire for Europe to join a ‘new vision for the future,’ a path they’ve ‘walked together before, and can walk again.’ He presented a more diplomatic stance than his predecessor, Vice President JD Vance, who had previously criticized Europeans for sidelining far-right parties. Rubio’s emphasis was on working with Europeans, not against them. He declared that ‘Under President Trump, the United States will once again take on the task of renewal and restoration,’ and while prepared to act alone, preferred to do so ‘together with you, our friends here in Europe.’ This shift in tone was palpable, with Wolfgang Ischinger, the conference chairman, noting a collective ‘sigh of relief’ from the audience at the speech’s conclusion, indicating Rubio had met expectations for a friendly overture.
In discussions following his speech, Rubio addressed the Ukraine conflict, stating uncertainty about Russia’s seriousness in ending the war but affirming that the U.S. would continue to ‘test it’ through sanctions and weapon sales for Ukraine’s defense. Regarding the U.S.-China relationship, he acknowledged President Trump’s positive remarks but stressed the obligation to communicate, even when national interests diverge, to find areas of cooperation. He advised European nations to also engage positively with China while remaining wary of compromising their own national interests. Rubio added that the United States doesn’t want an alliance crippled by the ‘malaise of hopelessness and complacency,’ urging allies not to be paralyzed by fears of climate change and new technology. He also emphasized the need to reindustrialize Western nations, suggesting collaboration on commercial space travel, artificial intelligence, and critical mineral supply chains, while insisting countries must limit border crossings for settlement, clarifying this stance as not xenophobia.
Earlier, European leaders had already begun charting new courses for the transatlantic alliance, one less dependent on America for defense and commerce, and acknowledging a divergence in core values. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for an overhauled friendship, suggesting U.S. global leadership under a second Trump term ‘has been challenged, and possibly squandered.’ French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the ‘vilification’ of Europe regarding immigration and free speech, subtly referencing Trump and Vance’s earlier remarks. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, notably articulated a proactive vision for a more independent, militarily assertive, and agile European Union. She asserted, to applause, that ‘Europe must become more independent – there is no other choice,’ clarifying that this wasn’t antithetical to the transatlantic bond, but rather, essential for it. Her statements indicated a significant shift towards Europe’s self-reliance, with calls for a ‘European backbone’ in defense and faster decision-making, even if it meant moving in smaller groups, and closer collaboration with partners like Britain, Norway, Iceland, and Canada. This vision for a ‘mightier’ Europe, she noted, ironically aligned with some of the Trump administration’s own stated desires for a strong Europe.
Beyond the speeches, several key developments emerged:
* **Ukraine:** Rubio notably skipped a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as negotiations between Ukraine and Russian officials were slated to resume.
* **Greenland:** The Trump administration continued its efforts to negotiate an expanded U.S. presence or greater control over Greenland, an autonomous part of Denmark.
* **Nuclear Weapons:** Despite U.S. assurances of its nuclear shield for NATO allies, European officials, including Germany’s Merz, confirmed discussions with France on establishing an independent European nuclear deterrent.