The United States and Europe “belong together” and must work jointly to strengthen the political, economic, and security foundations of the West, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, February 14th.
The speech could be interpreted as a clear signal that Washington continues to view Europe as a strategic partner—while urging change on the issues of globalisation and sovereignty.
Rubio emphasized that the U.S. and Europe are linked by more than just political and economic interests: they share common historical and civilizational roots. He said that the foundations of the Western world go back centuries and that America also grew out of Europe’s cultural heritage, which is why maintaining transatlantic relations is crucial.
At the same time, the Secretary of State warned that globalisation and the opening of borders have had unexpected consequences, particularly in the areas of migration and economic dependence. According to Rubio, Western countries made a mistake when they outsourced their industrial and economic capacities to other regions, thereby weakening their own sovereignty. He stressed that regaining supply chains and economic independence is essential for the security and stability of the West.
Rubio emphasised that the United States’ goal is not to weaken the alliance system, but to strengthen it. He said that Washington is ready to work with Europe to restore their joint strength, but at the same time, allies are needed who are themselves ready to strengthen their own defence and economic capabilities. In his view, this is the only way for the West to maintain its global influence and deter those who would question its power.
The Secretary of State concluded that in today’s world, diplomacy alone is not always sufficient to resolve conflicts, and Western countries must be prepared to defend their own interests. After Munich, the US secretary of state will next visit Bratislava and then Budapest, where he will hold government talks on Monday.
Both JD Vance’s speech last year, and the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency, meant European leaders prepared for this year’s security conference differently, assuming that they could rely less on the U.S. to defend the continent. At the same time, with Rubio’s seemingly more restrained approach, compared with that of the U.S. vice president, a somewhat more constructive speech than last year’s could be expected in advance.
