Munich

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure European allies on Saturday, delivering a calmer but still firm message at the Munich Security Conference as Washington presses ahead with President Donald Trump’s push to recalibrate the trans-Atlantic relationship.

Emphasising America’s deep historical links with Europe, Rubio said the United States would remain “forever tied” to the continent even as it seeks changes to long-standing arrangements and post-World War II institutions. His remarks contrasted with the sharper rhetoric that has characterised the Trump administration’s approach to traditional allies over the past year.

Rubio addressed the forum a year after Vice President JD Vance delivered a blunt critique of European values at the same venue, triggering unease across the continent. Since then, tensions have flared over issues ranging from defence spending to trade and climate policy, including Trump’s brief threat last month to impose tariffs on European countries in a bid to gain US control over Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

Opening this year’s conference on Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Washington and Europe to “repair and revive trans-Atlantic trust together,” while stressing that Europe would not compromise on core values such as free speech, climate action and free trade.

While striking a more measured tone, Rubio made clear that the administration’s positions remain unchanged. He criticised what he termed a “climate cult” and warned that mass migration posed a threat to social cohesion. He argued that post-Cold War optimism had fuelled a “dangerous delusion” that globalisation alone could replace borders, sovereignty and national identity.

“We made these mistakes together,” Rubio said, adding that the US and Europe must now “rebuild” their partnership. He insisted that ending the trans-Atlantic era was neither America’s aim nor its desire, declaring that while the US is based in the Western Hemisphere, it would “always be a child of Europe.”

European leaders broadly welcomed the softer rhetoric but cautioned against complacency. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, called Rubio’s speech “very reassuring” while noting that other voices in the US administration remain more strident. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Europe must strengthen its own defence capabilities and reduce overdependence on the US.

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The conference also underscored wider global tensions. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing welcomed Trump’s respect for President Xi Jinping, but warned that attempts to “suppress and contain China” risk reviving Cold War mentalities.