At the prestigious Munich Security Conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a pivotal speech that aimed to bridge divides and reaffirm the enduring bond between Europe and America. “Europe and America belong together,” Rubio declared on the second day of the conference, emphasizing that the destinies of both continents are “intertwined” – a sentiment that garnered applause from the international audience.
Rubio’s address skillfully combined familiar talking points from the Trump administration regarding the perceived threat of Western decline with a distinctly constructive and diplomatic approach. He stressed that the United States has “no interest in being polite, and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline,” but crucially expressed a strong desire to collaborate with European allies on a path of “renewal and restoration.” This nuanced tone marked a departure from previous U.S. representations at the conference and was notably met with a “sigh of relief” from attendees, as observed by Wolfgang Ischinger, the conference chairman.
Echoing concerns raised by Vice President JD Vance in the previous year, Rubio delivered stern warnings about “mass migration” and “civilizational erasure,” describing them as urgent threats to the societal fabric of both the United States and Europe. He criticized the concept of a “united, globalized citizenship” as a “dangerous delusion” that has led to misunderstandings with adversarial nations and contributed to unprecedented waves of migration. Alongside this, he called for the reindustrialization of Western nations, urging allies to move past “malaise of hopelessness and complacency” and embrace new technologies without paralysis. He defended the stance on limiting border crossings as distinct from xenophobia, while also acknowledging the historical contributions of immigrants, such as German immigrants who “dramatically improved the quality of our beer.”
Rubio further delved into the deep cultural connections and shared ancestry that unite America and Europe, celebrating common heritage from ancient universities to modern music icons like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones – a lighthearted moment that brought laughs from the audience. He passionately stated that “Europe must survive” and evoked the shared struggle against Communist nations during the Cold War.
Beyond his formal remarks, Rubio engaged in key bilateral and multilateral discussions. He addressed the U.S.-China relationship, emphasizing the necessity of communication and acknowledging that while national interests may not always align, avenues for cooperation exist. He advised European nations to maintain positive dialogue with China while safeguarding their own national interests. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are reportedly planning a summit in Beijing in April.
On the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Rubio affirmed the United States’ commitment to pressuring Russia through sanctions and providing Ukraine with essential defensive weaponry, all while continuously assessing Moscow’s sincerity in seeking an end to the war.
Earlier in the conference, European leaders had articulated their own visions for a rebalanced transatlantic alliance, potentially less dependent on American leadership. Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, advocated for an overhauled friendship, suggesting that American claims to global leadership had been “challenged, and possibly squandered” during President Trump’s second term. French President Emmanuel Macron subtly critiqued American rhetoric about Europe, defending the continent against accusations regarding immigration and free speech.
Other significant topics at the conference included Rubio’s decision to skip a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amidst ongoing peace negotiations. Discussions also took place with the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland concerning the Trump administration’s intentions regarding an expanded U.S. presence or control over Greenland. Furthermore, despite American and European officials reaffirming the U.S. commitment to NATO’s nuclear shield, Germany confirmed it had initiated discussions with France on establishing an independent European nuclear deterrent as a contingency.
Several prominent American lawmakers, including Representative Nancy Pelosi, Senator Mark Kelly, and Senator Lindsey Graham, were present at the conference, with some attending independently after the official House delegation’s travel was canceled due to federal agency shutdowns.