U.S. Secretary Of State: "The U.S. And Europe Are Destined To Stand Together... Europe Must Grow Stronger"

Calls for a "changed Europe" at the Munich Security Conference
Also reiterates the need for UN reform

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Marco said on the 14th (local time) that the Donald Trump administration will lead the rebuilding and restoration of the world order, adding that he hopes Europe, a historic ally, will join in this process.

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State. The Asia Business Daily DB

Compared with his remarks at the same event last year, when he pressured Europe, his tone was at least more moderate this time.

In his speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany that day, Secretary Rubio underscored the historical importance of the alliance between the United States and Europe and made these comments.

Secretary Rubio said, "We gather here today as members of a historic alliance, an alliance that saved and transformed the world," but added, "The euphoria of that victory led us into dangerous delusions."

Secretary Rubio argued that while the Western world was making the "mistake" of clinging to a rules-based global order, welfare states, and energy policies, rival powers invested in military buildup and pursued their own interests. He then urged that the United States and Europe now have "a duty to face the truth and move forward."

He continued, "Under President Trump, a rebuilt America will once again undertake the task of reconstruction and restoration, based on a vision of a sovereign and vibrant future," adding, "If necessary, we are prepared to do this alone, but our hope is to accomplish it together with Europe." He went on to stress that "the United States and Europe are destined to stand together."

Secretary Rubio said, "When we Americans offer advice to Europe, it can sometimes feel blunt and urgent," but insisted, "That is because we care deeply about your future and our own."

He also said, "We want Europe to grow stronger," reiterating the importance of the transatlantic alliance by adding, "As history constantly reminds us, our fate is inevitably intertwined with yours, and that is why we believe Europe must survive."

Secretary Rubio made it clear that a change is needed in how the United States and Europe cooperate.

He said, "We want allies who can defend themselves so that our adversaries will not dare test our collective strength," and added, "For this reason, we want our allies to face up to the steps needed to fix the broken status quo, rather than rationalizing it." The United States has long criticized Europe for relying excessively on the U.S. for security.

Secretary Rubio also represented the Trump administration's stance on immigration, an especially sensitive issue at home.

He said, "Mass migration was not a minor, peripheral issue; it was, and still is, a crisis that has transformed and destabilized societies across the West," emphasizing the need for border control. He defended this stance by saying, "This is not xenophobic rhetoric. This is a fundamental act of national sovereignty."

Secretary Rubio further argued that the United Nations, which represents the system of international cooperation, "has failed to provide answers to the most urgent problems of our time and has in effect played no role," saying it must be reformed and rebuilt.

On peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, he said that while many of the points of contention between the two sides have been narrowed, key issues still remain unresolved.

He added, "We do not know whether Russia is serious about ending the war," and said, "We will continue to test under what conditions Russia is willing to negotiate, whether we can identify terms that Ukraine can accept, and whether Russia will agree to them."

Regarding relations with China, he said, "Our national interests will often not align," but added, "Our duty to the world is to manage this in the best way we can, so as to avoid economic conflict and, even more importantly, more serious confrontations."

CNN in the United States evaluated Secretary Rubio's speech, in which he repeatedly mentioned the importance of the transatlantic alliance, as standing in stark contrast to the hardline remarks made one year earlier by U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

At last year's conference, held shortly after President Trump took office, Vice President Vance said, "There is a new sheriff in town," demanding that others adapt to the Trump administration. He also accused Europe by saying that "freedom of the press is in retreat across the continent," thereby heightening tensions with Europe.