Munich: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Saturday for a renewed transatlantic alliance rooted in sovereignty, economic resilience, and shared Western identity, while outlining Washington's approach to global conflicts and competition with China.
According to Anadolu Agency, speaking at the annual gathering of global leaders at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Rubio framed the moment as a turning point for Europe and the US, drawing historical parallels to the Cold War era when the conference began in 1963. He recalled the divided Europe and existential threats posed by Soviet communism, warning that post-Cold War optimism had led to misguided assumptions about globalization and liberal democracy.
Rubio criticized excessive reliance on global institutions, free trade policies, and mass migration for weakening Western societies and undermining economic sovereignty. He outlined the foreign policy direction of the Donald Trump administration, emphasizing a strategy centered on national interests, stronger borders, and industrial renewal.
Highlighting shared cultural and historical ties, Rubio described the transatlantic relationship as rooted in "one civilization, Western civilization," and urged European partners to increase defense capabilities and maintain cultural confidence. He emphasized that alliances must focus on military cooperation as well as technological competition, supply chain security, and emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and space exploration.
The US secretary also criticized the current international system, asserting that global institutions need reform to remain effective. Acknowledging the UN's potential, he cited Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran's nuclear program as crises where US-led initiatives played decisive roles. On the ongoing war in Ukraine, Rubio noted the uncertainty of negotiations, stating that sanctions and military support for Kyiv continue as Washington tests the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
Regarding China, Rubio stressed the need for dialogue despite strategic rivalry, ahead of a planned summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He warned against agreements that compromise national interests but acknowledged potential cooperation where interests align.
Rubio concluded by urging Europe and the US to reject narratives of Western decline and pursue a renewed partnership. He emphasized revitalizing the transatlantic alliance as a means to renew what he described as "the greatest civilization in human history."