At the 62nd Munich Security Conference on 13 February 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a keynote speech urging Europe to collaborate with the United States to build a “new Western century,” describing transatlantic ties as deeply civilisational.
“We are part of one civilisation – Western civilisation,” Rubio declared, emphasizing the need for unity and shared purpose.
Rubio’s speech comes after a year of rhetoric from the Trump administration warning of “civilisational erasure” in Europe, and follows criticism of European liberal policies by US Vice President JD Vance last year.
He outlined several priorities for Europe: ending liberalist policies, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers by strengthening supply chains, investing in high-tech industries like artificial intelligence and space travel, and addressing mass migration, which he claimed threatens societal cohesion and Western culture.
Marco Rubio Wants to Build a “New Western Century”
According to Al Jazeera, Rubio called for Europe and the US to jointly reclaim global influence, advance mutual interests, and “unshackle our ingenuity, creativity, and dynamic spirit.” He warned that the post-Cold War optimism that liberal democracy would prevail worldwide has led to dangerous complacency, leaving societies vulnerable to cultural and demographic shifts.
European leaders appeared cautiously receptive. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the importance of a strong Europe within the alliance, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister John Wadephul praised Rubio’s message but highlighted European independence and commitment to international rules.
The broader implication for Europe is a growing dilemma: maintain liberal values or align with the Trump administration’s vision of Western dominance. With rising far-right sentiment and stricter migration policies across countries like the UK, Denmark, and France, European leaders face pressure to balance autonomy with transatlantic partnership.
Experts, including Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, argue that Europe must choose between strategic independence or slow subordination to US priorities, potentially embracing a civilisational divide led by Washington.
As the Munich Security Conference demonstrated, the future of US-Europe relations, migration policy, and the ideological direction of the West are at a critical crossroads.
