Europe clapped for the phrases. Europe didn’t clap for the insurance policies. That was the temper in Munich in 2026 when Marco Rubio stood on stage and tried to calm a room that has been tense for a 12 months. Folks listened carefully. They remembered what occurred there in 2025. No person forgot.
Again then, JD Vance went straight at Europe. He mentioned Europe was strolling away from shared values. He criticized how governments deal with democracy, migration, and free speech.
The speech hit arduous. Many policymakers throughout Europe are nonetheless irritated about it. That reminiscence was sitting within the room earlier than Rubio even spoke.
Rubio tells Europe the alliance nonetheless stands
Rubio saved his message easy. He mentioned america shouldn’t be strolling away from Europe. He mentioned America desires Europe to remain sturdy. He introduced up the 2 world wars. He mentioned these wars show the destinies of america and Europe are tied collectively.
German International Minister Johann Wadephul spoke to reporters on the sidelines. Johann mentioned Rubio reassured leaders that the partnership between Europe and america continues to be in place. He admitted there are points to type out. He mentioned either side succeeded previously and should take care of new threats within the twenty first century.
Nonetheless, not everybody sounded relaxed. A senior European minister within the room mentioned Rubio is the most suitable choice obtainable from this administration. The identical minister mentioned the transatlantic relationship shouldn’t be what it was.
One other European minister allegedly mentioned if one thing breaks, it’s arduous to repair. He mentioned Rubio supplied a hand as a substitute of an insult, however nothing basic has modified.
Some officers even mentioned Vance’s 2025 speech was simpler to deal with as a result of it was so aggressive. It pushed governments in Europe to shut ranks quick. Rubio’s softer tone made issues much less apparent. The disagreements are nonetheless there. They’re simply packaged otherwise.
Leaders watch actions on Ukraine, Greenland, tariffs, and Hungary
Rubio skipped a gathering with European leaders that was anticipated to deal with Ukraine. NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte defended that call.
Mark mentioned Rubio had different vital duties. He mentioned america manages world obligations, not solely Europe. He mentioned he understood the scheduling battle.
The Munich convention now works like a yearly checkup for the transatlantic relationship. This 12 months, it occurred solely weeks after President Donald Trump, the forty seventh president who gained the 2024 election, threatened army motion to seize Greenland from Denmark, a NATO ally. He later stepped again. That second adopted the tariffs Trump positioned on European nations final 12 months. It additionally adopted his help for Eurosceptic candidates in current EU elections.
One senior EU diplomat mentioned Rubio’s actual message was not simply in his speech. The diplomat pointed to Rubio’s go to to Slovakia on Sunday after which to Hungary. Each governments typically conflict with Brussels. That journey plan raised severe questions throughout Europe.