World leaders are gathering in Munich this Friday for the annual security conference. A year after the scathing speech by US Vice President JD Vance, the central question is how Europe is navigating the unpredictable policies of the American administration.
Last year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC) marked a turning point, signaling that the US alliance with Europe was no longer guaranteed. This message was delivered forcefully through Vance’s address, which criticized Europe for allegedly failing to accept sufficient responsibility for its own defense.
Vance too expressed concern over what he perceived as censorship in Europe, specifically regarding restrictions on Koran burners, anti-abortion activists, and the suppression of views deemed unfavorable to women on the internet. He questioned the viability of US-European cooperation if fundamental disagreements existed regarding freedom of expression.
Since then, several diplomatic tensions have arisen between Europe and the US, including disagreements over support for Ukraine and proposals regarding Greenland. While these conflicts have often been smoothed over, they have left a lasting impression: Europe recognizes that the era of unquestioningly relying on the US is over.
This shift in perception is reflected in a recent report released ahead of the conference, titled Dismantling in Progress.
The title deliberately references the “wrecking ball politics” of US President Donald Trump, who has demonstrated a willingness to dismantle international agreements and organizations. The report’s authors argue that European leaders must be bolder in their decision-making and communication.
What is the European Stance?
The stance Europe will adopt during the summit is of keen interest. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated this week that Europe “must learn the language of power politics.” He emphasized that as democracies, the US and Europe are partners and allies, not subordinates.
French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week argued that European economic investment is necessary due to the “openly anti-European” stance of Trump. These investments aim to reduce Europe’s dependence on the whims of the current US administration.
NATO chief Mark Rutte is also in Munich, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was expected to attend, but postponed his trip following a school shooting in Canada. Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in January, where he strongly opposed US policies, drew attention. It remains uncertain whether Carney will ultimately travel to Munich.
A Dutch delegation, including caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Foreign Minister David van Weel, and Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, is also attending the conference.
Rubio to Lead US Delegation
Vance will not be present at this year’s security conference. instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the US delegation. US officials have indicated that Rubio intends to use less controversial language than Vance did last year, but the core message will remain the same: Europe must prioritize its own defense.
The US has repeatedly emphasized this point throughout the past year, including in its national security strategy published in early December. The Trump administration warned that European civilization is “being erased” by migration and changing demographics, and reiterated the require for Europe to increase its defense capabilities.
According to Wolfgang Ischinger, director of the security conference, much is at stake in the coming days. “Transatlantic relations are currently in a significant crisis of confidence and credibility,” he said earlier this week. He hopes the US delegation will help to make the outlook “less bleak and grim.”
A notable difference from last year is the presence of politicians from the German far-right party AfD. Vance had criticized their exclusion last year. Although, the organization states that this criticism was not the reason for inviting AfD members this year.
“This proves a decision we took on our own conscience,” Ischinger told Politico. “The security conference brings together different points of view. It would be difficult for us to exclude the largest German opposition party.” AfD members also attended the conference between 2008 and 2022.
