U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a message of solidarity to European partners on Saturday during his speech at the Munich Security Conference. His address combined a tone of reconciliation with sharp criticism of mass immigration, climate policies, and the role of the United Nations (UN).
Rubio's speech, rich with historical and cultural references, aimed to present a vision of a Washington committed to the transatlantic alliance while determined to redefine the foundations of the global order.
Strengthening the Transatlantic Partnership
Addressing the European audience, Rubio portrayed himself as an advocate for closer cooperation between the United States and Europe. He emphasized that Washington seeks not to distance itself from Europe but to rebuild a relationship seen as crucial for tackling global challenges.
“We don’t seek separation; instead, we aim to invigorate an old friendship and renew the greatest civilization in human history,” Rubio declared.
Warning of a "New World Order" and the Role of the West
In his remarks, Rubio positioned the United States as a leader ready to guide a global reconfiguration, stressing the need for a strong Europe. “The U.S. is driven by a vision of a future as proud, sovereign, and vibrant as the past of our civilization,” he stated.
He then delivered his most emphatic message: “And while we are prepared, if necessary, to go it alone, we prefer and hope to do it together with you, our friends in Europe.”
Rubio argued that the strength of Western allies is not a luxury but a strategic necessity. “We don’t want weak allies, because that makes us weak,” he warned, referring to an imminent “new world order” requiring democratic cohesion.
He further insisted on the need for a revitalized alliance, grounded not only in strategic interests but also in what he described as a profound shared heritage. The senator highlighted the "spiritual and cultural" connection between both sides of the Atlantic, based on language, Christianity, and the European ancestry of millions of Americans.
This common foundation, he suggested, should propel a joint project to face the challenges of a transforming world.
Criticism of Immigration and Free Trade
Despite his call for unity, Rubio spent a significant portion of his address criticizing factors he believes are undermining Western societies. He cited “mass immigration” as a “crisis transforming and destabilizing societies across the West,” asserting that governments must “take back control of our borders.”
According to Rubio, this stance “is not xenophobia, not hate; it’s a fundamental exercise of sovereignty.”
He also criticized climate policies that he claimed “impoverish our peoples,” and lambasted what he called the “madness” of free trade, which he argued has deindustrialized both Europe and the United States “to the benefit of rivals and adversaries.”
Rubio reserved particularly harsh criticism for the UN, questioning its effectiveness in contemporary conflicts. “We cannot ignore that in most urgent matters it has no answers and has played virtually no role,” he stated, urging Western democracies to take responsibility without relying on what he sees as ineffective multilateral organizations.
Understanding Marco Rubio's Vision for a New Global Order
What was the main message of Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference?
Rubio emphasized unity with Europe while highlighting the need for a strong transatlantic partnership to address global challenges. He warned of a "new world order" and insisted on the strategic necessity of strong Western allies.
How did Rubio criticize current policies during his speech?
Rubio criticized mass immigration, describing it as destabilizing for Western societies, and condemned climate policies and free trade for deindustrializing Europe and the U.S., benefiting rivals.
What is Rubio's stance on the role of the United Nations?
Rubio questioned the effectiveness of the United Nations in addressing contemporary conflicts, suggesting that Western democracies should assume more responsibility independently of ineffective multilateral organizations.