Munich, Germany – Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a pointed address to the Munich Security Conference on , stressing the shared historical and cultural foundations of the transatlantic alliance while simultaneously issuing a warning about the potential for a weakening of European values and resolve. The speech, delivered against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifting global power dynamics, underscored the Biden administration’s concern over what it perceives as a growing risk of “civilisational erasure” in Europe.
Rubio’s remarks, as reported by the U.S. Department of State, centered on the deep roots connecting the United States and Europe. He emphasized that the U.S. Is fundamentally “descended from Europe,” a statement intended to highlight the common heritage underpinning the enduring partnership. This connection, he argued, extends beyond mere political or economic alignment, reaching into the realms of culture, faith, and shared philosophical traditions.
The Secretary’s address echoes concerns previously voiced by the Trump administration, as articulated in a National Security Strategy document released in . That document warned that Europe faces a potential “civilisational erasure” if current trends continue, questioning the long-term reliability of some European nations as allies. The assessment, reported by the BBC, focused on issues such as migration, energy policy, and a perceived decline in commitment to traditional Western values.
According to a report from the New York Times, Rubio’s invocation of shared history was met with applause from the largely European audience at the Munich conference. However, the underlying message – a call for Europe to reaffirm its core principles – carries a clear implication of concern regarding the continent’s current trajectory.
The Biden administration’s anxieties are rooted in a broader understanding of the transatlantic relationship as a bulwark against authoritarianism and a defender of democratic principles. Samuel Samson, Senior Advisor for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, writing in a post, detailed the unique bond between the U.S. And Europe, forged in “common culture, faith, familial ties, mutual assistance in times of strife, and above all, a shared Western civilizational heritage.” Samson’s analysis highlights the importance of a shared tradition of natural law, virtue ethics, and national sovereignty, tracing its origins from ancient Greece and Rome through medieval Christianity and the Enlightenment.
This tradition, Samson argues, is reflected in foundational American documents like the Declaration of Independence, which asserts “unalienable rights” echoing the philosophical work of European thinkers such as Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. The U.S., Samson contends, remains indebted to Europe for this intellectual and cultural legacy.
The current administration’s concerns, as articulated by Vice President Vance at this year’s Munich Security Conference, center on a perceived “retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values—values shared with the United States of America.” This assessment suggests a growing divergence in priorities and a potential weakening of the transatlantic alliance’s ability to address shared challenges.
The emphasis on shared values comes at a time when Europe is grappling with a complex array of internal and external pressures. The aftermath of two world wars prompted the creation of supranational structures designed to foster greater integration and cooperation, but these structures are now facing scrutiny from within and without. The National Security Strategy document released last year accused the European Union and other transnational bodies of undermining “political liberty and sovereignty,” a criticism that reflects a broader skepticism towards multilateralism.
The implications of this evolving dynamic are significant. A weakened or divided Europe could have far-reaching consequences for global security, economic stability, and the promotion of democratic values. The U.S. Administration appears to be signaling its intention to hold its European allies accountable for upholding the principles that underpin the transatlantic alliance, even if it means engaging in candid and potentially uncomfortable conversations.
Secretary Rubio’s speech in Munich represents a continuation of this approach, a clear message that the U.S. Views the preservation of European values not merely as a matter of European concern, but as vital to the security and prosperity of the United States itself. The warning about potential “civilisational erasure” serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved and the urgency of addressing the challenges facing the transatlantic alliance.
