The moment was brief, but it set the tone for the entire gathering: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio received a standing ovation at the Munich Security Conference, with most attendees rising to their feet in applause.
This enthusiastic reception, rare for a representative of the Trump administration at European multilateral forums, foreshadowed the nature of Rubio's upcoming speech. It was a blend of reconciliation, caution, and a call to rebuild the transatlantic alliance under fresh paradigms.
When Rubio took the stage, he was aware of the symbolism and responded with a straightforward message: “The United States is not seeking to distance itself from Europe, but rather to rejuvenate an old friendship and renew the greatest civilization in human history,” he declared to an audience of heads of state, ministers, and international organization representatives.
A Vision for Unity Amidst a "New Inevitable Order"
Rubio started by recalling historical instances that, in his view, illustrate the enduring strength of the bond between the two sides of the Atlantic: “Together we rebuilt the continent devastated after two world wars... The free world joined hands with brave dissidents fighting tyranny to defeat Soviet communism.”
He also brought up numerous conflicts where Americans and Europeans have fought “side by side,” from Kapyong in Korea to Kandahar in Afghanistan. This mention stands in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's recent remarks about the alleged lack of European commitment on that front.
The Republican leader emphasized that the cooperation that defined the 20th century is now a relic of the past, and a new world order is “inevitable”: “Yesterday is over, the future is inevitable, and our shared destiny awaits us.”
With this idea, Rubio outlined the main thread of his speech: the alliance must be updated to address an environment marked by geopolitical rivalries, economic crises, migration tensions, and technological transformations.
Challenges to the Old Order: Trade, Climate, and Migration
Despite his conciliatory tone, Rubio criticized Western democracies for what he described as a series of strategic errors committed in recent decades. Among them was the belief that after the fall of the Berlin Wall, all nations would transition to liberal democracy and that global trade would replace the concept of the nation-state:
“We embraced a dangerous illusion... adopting 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 widespread deindustrialization across Europe and the United States and the loss of millions of working-class jobs to this model. He also questioned the dependency created on supply chains “controlled by adversaries and rivals.”
The most ideological segment of his speech came with his critiques of climate policies and migration: “To appease a climate cult, we imposed energy policies that are impoverishing our peoples.”
On mass migration, he argued 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 criticized the role of the United Nations: “We cannot ignore that on the most urgent issues, it has no answers and has played virtually no role.”
Europe as an Indispensable Partner
After listing the challenges and errors, Rubio insisted that the United States does not intend to act alone: “We are prepared, if necessary, to go it alone, but we prefer and hope to do it alongside you, our friends in Europe.”
“We are spiritually and culturally connected... We want Europe to be strong, we believe Europe must survive,” he added, advocating for a relationship grounded in shared values.
Rubio stressed that a strong West—what he considers the “greatest civilization in human history”—is essential to sustain an international order where the United States and Europe maintain influence against revisionist powers.
The initial ovation and the frequent applause during his speech reflected the European audience's interest in hearing a more predictable and diplomatic message than what the Trump administration typically projects.
While Rubio fully supported the president's hardline stance, he also sought to build bridges and restore trust. “I have come to make it clear that the United States is paving the way for a new century of prosperity and that 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 reaffirmation of the Atlantic alliance. The audience's response suggested that, at least in this forum, the message resonated.
Key Takeaways from Marco Rubio's Munich Speech
What was the main message of Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference?
The main message was to rebuild the transatlantic alliance under new rules, emphasizing unity and cooperation between the U.S. and Europe amidst a changing global order.
How did Rubio criticize past strategies of Western democracies?
Rubio criticized the belief in unrestricted free trade and the assumption that global trade would replace nation-states, leading to economic vulnerabilities and job losses.
What stance did Rubio take on climate policies and migration?
Rubio criticized climate policies for impoverishing people and described mass migration as destabilizing, calling for border control as an exercise of sovereignty.