On the second day of the Munich Security Conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech emphasizing that Europe and America ‘belong together.’ While echoing familiar Trump administration talking points on the perceived threat of Western decline, his address also struck a constructive tone, underscoring the deep friendship between the two continents. He highlighted the intertwining destinies forged through centuries of shared history and the two World Wars, a sentiment that resonated with the audience and drew applause.
Rubio’s speech diverged from previous, more critical addresses by figures like Vice President JD Vance. While he still raised alarms about mass migration and ‘civilizational erasure,’ and the decline of the ‘rules-based order’ (a term he noted as overused), he also presented a vision of the United States wanting to work with European partners, rather than against them. He declared that America had ‘no interest in being polite, and orderly caretakers of the West‘s managed decline’ and expressed a preference for collective ‘renewal and restoration’ alongside European allies.
The reception was notably warmer than expected. Wolfgang Ischinger, the conference chairman, remarked on a collective ‘sigh of relief’ from the crowd, indicating that Rubio largely met European leaders’ hopes for a more amicable address. This contrasted sharply with the previous day, where European leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron had outlined new visions for the transatlantic alliance, suggesting less reliance on the U.S. and openly acknowledging differing core values, almost as a direct rebuttal to Vance’s earlier criticisms.
Key issues and updates from the conference:
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Ukraine: Rubio notably skipped a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the conference, even as negotiations between Ukraine and Russian officials were scheduled to resume in Geneva the following week. Previous talks had shown little progress.
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Greenland: Discussions were held with the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland, a day after their meeting with Rubio. The Trump administration is reportedly pursuing an expanded U.S. presence in Greenland, or even greater American control over the autonomous Danish territory, a long-held ambition of the President.
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Nuclear Weapons: Despite reassurances from U.S. officials about America’s commitment to providing a nuclear shield for NATO allies, Europe is exploring contingency plans. German Chancellor Merz revealed that Germany had initiated discussions with France, a nuclear power, about establishing an independent European nuclear deterrent.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed reassurance following Rubio’s speech, noting his clear desire for a strong Europe, aligning with the EU’s own efforts. She presented a proactive vision for a more independent, militarily assertive, and agile European Union, suggesting that European nations might need to make decisions faster and in smaller groups, rather than requiring unanimity. This shift marks a significant change from just a year prior, when such calls for decoupling from the U.S. would have been considered taboo.
Regarding the U.S.-China relationship, Rubio stressed the obligation to communicate, stating it would be ‘geopolitical malpractice’ to avoid conversations with China. He acknowledged that national interests might not always align but emphasized finding areas of cooperation. He also advised European nations to maintain positive dialogue with China while remaining vigilant against compromising their national interests. A summit between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is reportedly planned for April in Beijing.
Rubio also addressed the Ukraine war, stating uncertainty about Russia’s seriousness in ending the conflict, and confirmed continued U.S. pressure through sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. He used his speech to highlight the European heritage of American colonialists, celebrating groups like the Scotch-Irish settlers and the ‘cowboy archetype,’ though without acknowledging the native peoples encountered during historical expansion.
Conference chairman Wolfgang Ischinger’s comment about a ‘sigh of relief’ in the room after Rubio’s address underscored the positive shift in tone compared to previous, more confrontational interactions. Rubio’s speech also touched on far-right political themes, asserting ‘civilizational erasure’ as a threat to both the U.S. and Europe, and criticized the ‘foolish idea’ of a globalized, borderless citizenship, which he linked to adversarial nations and an ‘unprecedented wave of mass migration.’
He advocated for the reindustrialization of Western nations, proposing collaboration on commercial space travel, artificial intelligence, and critical mineral supply chains, while insisting on the necessity of limiting immigration, explicitly stating this was ‘not xenophobia.’ Rubio emphasized profound spiritual and cultural connections between Europe and America, calling for the defense of these shared bonds and a ‘reinvigorated alliance.’ He stated that while the U.S. is prepared to act alone for renewal, the preference is to work ‘together with you, our friends here in Europe,’ under President Trump’s leadership.