U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used Valentine’s Day at the Munich Security Conference to deliver what European officials described as a “reassuring” address to the trans‑Atlantic partnership. Speaking from the main stage of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel, Rubio invoked the shared history of the United States and Europe and warned that the alliance “will always be a child of Europe.” His remarks came exactly a year after Vice President J.D. Vance’s contentious speech that had left many Europeans questioning Washington’s commitment.
Rubio’s message was anchored in the conference’s founding moment in 1963, when, he said, “we were unified not just by what we were fighting against; we were unified by what we were fighting for.” He reminded the audience that “together, Europe and America prevailed and a continent was rebuilt.” The appeal to a common civilizational narrative – even citing Christianity three times – was meant to counter headlines suggesting an “end of the trans‑Atlantic era.”
European leaders say the speech was reassuring
Conference chairman Wolfgang Ischinger, who introduced Rubio and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke shortly afterward, both said they felt “reassured” by the remarks. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken told reporters that “what Mr. Vance said and what Mr. Rubio said an hour ago was pretty much the same,” but added that Rubio delivered the content “in a very diplomatic way” and emphasized “our heritage, our bonds.”
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide noted the presence of a “MAGA program” in the speech but concluded that Rubio was essentially saying, “We’re still here, and it’s not really America alone.” He warned that “some damage has been done,” referring to President Donald Trump’s recent remarks in Davos about a possible U.S. Takeover of Greenland, which Eide called “quite the shock to the trans‑Atlantic family.”
Continuity with previous U.S. Messages
Rubio’s address reiterated themes from Vance’s 2025 Munich speech, including concerns about “mass migration” and a critique of what he labeled the “climate cult” imposing “impoverishing” energy policies on Western nations. He similarly described the post‑Trump “rules‑based global order” as an “overused term” and a “delusion,” echoing the administration’s retreat from multilateralism.
U.S. Officials highlighted the consistency of the messaging. In a State Department release, Secretary Rubio thanked the audience for gathering “as members of a historic alliance, an alliance that saved and changed the world,” and noted that the conference began when “the line between communism and freedom ran …” [State.gov].
New York Times live updates recorded Rubio’s remarks, quoting him as saying Europe “belongs with America” and emphasizing that “the United States will always be a child of Europe.” [NYT Live Updates].
Why the speech matters now
The timing of Rubio’s address reflects a broader European push for “radical renewal” of the alliance, a theme echoed by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who urged a shift from “rupture” to “renewal” and called for greater European autonomy without a U.S. Withdrawal. The sentiment signals a desire among European capitals to move beyond lamenting the perceived breakdown of the global order and to solidify a united front on issues such as the Ukraine war, and migration.
At the same time, U.S. Defense officials sought to reassure allies on security commitments. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby told reporters that President Trump “has shown … in places like Venezuela and in Operation Midnight Hammer that he is prepared to use military force decisively to back up his pledges to work with our allies,” while emphasizing a move toward a “more sustainable basis” for U.S. Support [Foreign Policy interview].
What’s next for the trans‑Atlantic alliance
Rubio’s speech did not outline new policy steps, but the next scheduled briefing on the alliance’s joint initiatives is set for the upcoming NATO summit in July, where leaders are expected to discuss burden‑sharing, defense spending, and coordination on the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. European officials indicated they will monitor U.S. Policy signals closely, especially regarding migration and energy strategy, to gauge whether the “reassuring” tone translates into concrete actions.
Readers are invited to share their thoughts on how the United States and Europe can strengthen their historic partnership in the coming months.
Keep reading
