The scene lasted only a few seconds, but it set the tone for the meeting: the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, was welcomed at the Munich Security Conference with a hearty round of applause as most attendees stood up.
The applause, unusual for a representative of the Trump administration at European multilateral forums, foreshadowed the nature of the speech he would deliver afterward: a blend of conciliation, warnings, and a call to rebuild the transatlantic alliance under new rules.
Rubio took to the stage aware of that symbolism and returned it with a direct message: "The United States does not seek to separate from Europe, but rather to revitalize an old friendship and renew the greatest civilization in human history," he stated before an audience of heads of state, ministers, and representatives of major international organizations.
A message of unity in a "new inevitable order."
Rubio began by recalling the episodes that, in his view, demonstrate the historical strength of the bond between both shores of the Atlantic:
"Together, we rebuilt the devastated continent after two world wars... The free world joined hands with the brave dissidents fighting against tyranny to defeat Soviet communism."
It also evoked the long list of conflicts where Americans and Europeans have fought "shoulder to shoulder," from Kapyong in Korea to Kandahar in Afghanistan, a mention that contrasts with the recent statements by President Donald Trump regarding the alleged lack of European commitment on that front.
The Republican leader emphasized that the cooperation that defined the 20th century is now a thing of the past and that a new world order is "inevitable."
"The past has ended, the future is inevitable, and our shared destiny awaits us."
With that idea, he outlined the main theme of the speech: the alliance must be updated to respond to an environment marked by geopolitical rivalries, economic crises, migration tensions, and technological transformations.
Critiques of the old order: Free trade, climate change, and migration
Despite the conciliatory tone, Rubio reproached Western democracies for what he described as a series of strategic mistakes made over the past few decades.
Among them, the belief that after the fall of the Berlin Wall, all nations would move towards liberal democracy and that global trade would replace the idea of the nation-state
"We entered into a dangerous illusion... we adopted a dogmatic view of unrestricted free trade, even as some nations protected their economies and subsidized their companies to undermine ours."
The Secretary of State attributed the deindustrialization of large areas of Europe and the United States, as well as the loss of millions of working-class jobs, to that model.
He also questioned the dependency created on supply chains "controlled by adversaries and rivals."
The most ideological part of the speech came with his criticisms of climate policies and migration: “To appease a climate cult, we imposed energy policies that are impoverishing our peoples.”
Regarding mass migration, he stated that it constitutes "a crisis that is transforming and destabilizing societies across the West" and advocated for regaining "control of the borders."
"It is not xenophobia, it is not hatred, it is a fundamental exercise of sovereignty."
Rubio also took a moment to criticize the role of the UN: "We cannot ignore that in the most urgent matters it has no answers and has practically played no role."
Europe as an indispensable partner
After outlining the challenges and mistakes, Rubio emphasized that the United States does not intend to act alone:
“We are prepared, if necessary, to do it alone, but we prefer and look forward to doing it together with you, our friends in Europe.”
"We are connected spiritually and culturally... We want Europe to be strong; we believe that Europe must survive," he added, emphasizing a relationship grounded in shared values.
Rubio emphasized that a robust West - in his view, the "greatest civilization in human history" - is essential to uphold an international order where the United States and Europe maintain influence against revisionist powers.
The initial ovation and the recurring applause during his speech reflected the European audience's interest in hearing a more predictable and diplomatic message than the one typically projected by the Trump administration.
Although Rubio fully supported the president's hardline stance, he also sought to bridge divides and restore trust.
"I have come to make it clear that the United States is charting the course toward a new century of prosperity and we want to do it alongside you, our most valued allies."
In Munich, U.S. diplomacy presented a narrative that combines historical continuity, criticism of globalism, and a reaffirmation of the Atlantic alliance. The audience's response suggested that, at least in that forum, the message was well received.
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