Munich

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the transatlantic partnership during a keynote address at the Munich Security Conference, declaring that the United States and Europe remain bound by shared history and values.

“The United States will always be a child of Europe. We belong together,” Rubio said, stressing that the relationship is rooted in centuries of common heritage, culture and collective sacrifice.

Reflections on Global Order

Rubio argued that optimism following the West’s victory in the Cold War had created an illusion of permanent triumph, potentially weakening the very institutions that once prevailed over totalitarian regimes such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

While calling for unity across the Atlantic, he criticised certain aspects of globalisation, including open borders, unchecked free trade, deindustrialisation and large-scale migration. He also questioned carbon emission reduction policies and defended past US military interventions in regions including Latin America and the Middle East.

On the role of the United Nations, Rubio said the body had struggled to provide effective responses to pressing global challenges.

His speech was seen as more conciliatory compared to remarks made at last year’s conference by US Vice President JD Vance, which had drawn attention for their sharper tone.

Conference moderator Wolfgang Ischinger described Rubio’s address as reassuring and partnership-oriented.

Europe Calls for Greater Autonomy

European leaders at the conference emphasised the need for strategic independence amid shifting global dynamics.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said Europe must build greater self-reliance in an increasingly fragmented world.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for Europe to assert itself as a geopolitical power and urged efforts to “de-risk” relations with major global actors in areas such as defence, technology and economic policy.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cautioned that rising great power competition — including from China — is placing pressure on US global leadership. He underscored the continued relevance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, stating that NATO membership benefits both Europe and the United States.

READ MORE: Pakistan's newest talent Usman Tariq is inspired by M S Dhoni

The exchanges at the Munich forum highlighted both enduring transatlantic ties and ongoing debates over autonomy, globalisation and the future of Western cooperation.