On the second day of the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a noteworthy speech emphasizing that Europe and America ‘belong together’ and share an ‘intertwined destiny.’ This message, which earned applause from the audience, acknowledged the deep historical friendship between the two continents, a stark contrast to previous rhetoric from the Trump administration. While echoing concerns about the threat of Western decline, mass migration, and ‘civilizational erasure’—terms previously used by Vice President JD Vance at the same conference—Rubio also presented a more constructive tone, advocating for a revitalized alliance.
Rubio underlined America’s preference to work with European partners on global challenges, stating, ‘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 chairman of the conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, noted a ‘sigh of relief’ in the room following Rubio’s address, indicating a positive reception from European leaders who had been hoping for a more conciliatory approach.
Earlier in the conference, European leaders had already begun sketching new visions for the transatlantic alliance, anticipating a need for less reliance on American defense and commerce, and acknowledging some diverging core values. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for an overhauled friendship, suggesting Washington had lost its way. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly countered criticisms of Europe as a hub for uncontrolled immigration and restricted free speech, thinly veiled references to the Trump administration’s prior remarks.
Key discussions and additional insights from the conference included:
- US-China Relations: Rubio stressed the importance of communication with China, despite often misaligned national interests, calling it ‘geopolitical malpractice’ to avoid dialogue. He noted that European nations should also engage with China but remain vigilant about compromising their own interests. A summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing is reportedly being planned for April.
- Ukraine War: When questioned about the conflict, Rubio stated the US would continue to ‘test’ Russian intentions regarding peace, maintain pressure through sanctions, and supply Ukraine with weapons for defense.
- Migration: Rubio reiterated concerns about uncontrolled ‘mass migration’ posing ‘an urgent threat to the fabric of our societies and the survival of our civilization itself,’ a sentiment consistent with the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy. He drew a distinction, though unclearly, between past German immigrants who ‘dramatically improved the quality of our beer’ and current migration patterns.
- Western Reindustrialization: The Secretary emphasized the need for Western nations to reindustrialize, focusing on areas like commercial space travel, artificial intelligence, and critical mineral supply chains. He also highlighted the importance of countries controlling their borders, denying that such measures constitute xenophobia.
- Cultural Connections: Rubio celebrated Europe’s cultural contributions, from ancient universities to iconic bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, eliciting laughter from the audience. He spoke of the spiritual and cultural ties binding the West, though he did not extend this to include the contributions of immigrants from outside traditional Western spheres.
- The ‘End of History’ Delusion: Rubio opened his speech by recalling the Cold War struggle against communism but argued that the subsequent idea of a unified, globalized, and borderless world was a ‘dangerous delusion.’ He contended that this ‘foolish idea’ disregarded human nature and millennia of history, leading to costly mistakes and an ‘unprecedented wave of mass migration’ and misjudgments about adversarial nations.
- Diplomatic Engagements: On Friday evening, Rubio held several meetings with senior officials, including prime ministers from Denmark and Greenland to discuss President Trump’s interest in expanding the US presence or control over Greenland. He also met with Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, affirming US support for a stable Syria that respects minority rights.
- Congressional Presence: Despite Speaker Mike Johnson canceling official House delegation travel due to federal agency shutdowns, several American lawmakers, including Representative Nancy Pelosi, Senator Mark Kelly, and Senator Lindsey Graham, attended the event, which was billed as ‘The U.S. in the World.’