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MUNICH – In a bid to reassure America’s allies, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio adopted a more composed tone on Saturday, differing from the aggressive stance previously observed. He emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to redefining the trans-Atlantic alliance, amidst President Donald Trump’s prior critical remarks towards traditional partners.
Speaking at the prestigious Munich Security Conference, Rubio underscored America’s enduring historical ties with Europe, assuring that the United States remains committed to the continent. While advocating for adjustments in their relationship and the global institutions that have upheld world order since World War II, he highlighted the unbreakable bond between the two regions.
Rubio’s address comes a year after Vice President JD Vance surprised the conference with a stringent critique of European principles. This was followed by a series of confrontational actions from the Trump administration, including the president’s recent but brief proposal to levy tariffs on several European nations in pursuit of acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Denmark, a NATO member.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz set the tone for the conference by calling for a renewed partnership between the U.S. and Europe, stressing the need for unity in an evolving global landscape. He emphasized that even a superpower like the U.S. requires allies and reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to free speech and climate initiatives, while rejecting divisive cultural and protectionist policies.
Rubio reflected on the aftermath of the Cold War, suggesting that the Western triumph led to an “illusion” that history had concluded, expecting all nations to embrace liberal democracy. He critiqued the notion that global trade and commerce could substitute for national identity, warning against the idealistic vision of a borderless world where everyone is a global citizen.
“We made these mistakes together and now together we owe it to our people to face those facts and to move forward to rebuild,” Rubio said. He said that, under Trump, the U.S. “will once again take on the task of renewal and restoration.”
“This is why we Americans may sometimes come off as a little direct and urgent in our counsel,” he said. “This is why President Trump demands seriousness and reciprocity from our friends here in Europe.”
“In a time of headlines heralding the end of the trans-Atlantic era, let it be known and clear to all that this is neither our goal nor our wish,” Rubio said. “Because for us Americans, our home may be in the Western hemisphere, but we will always be a child of Europe.”
“We have fought against each other, then reconciled, then fought and reconciled again. And we have bled and died side-by-side on battlefields from Kapyong to Kandahar,” Rubio said. “And I’m here today to make it clear that America is charting the path for a new century of prosperity. and that once again, we want to do it together with you, our cherished allies and our oldest friends.”
Rubio said that the United Nations “still has tremendous potential” but that, on today’s most pressing matters, “it has no answers and has played virtually no role.”
Speaking directly after Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi offered a contrasting view.
“The main reason for the inadequacy of the current international system is not the United Nations itself, but the fact that some countries magnify differences, pursue national priorities … and even revive the Cold War mentality,” he argued. “All these have undermined the basis of trust, worsened the atmosphere of cooperation, and made the operation of international mechanisms difficult.”
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Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
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