German FM Wadephul Sees ‘Bright Future’ in Rubio’s Munich Speech Despite Transatlantic Rifts
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s address at the Munich Security Conference (#MSC2026), stating that it highlighted “a common ground for a bright future between the United States and Europe.” Speaking in an interview with DW’s Nina Haase, Wadephul signaled relief at the tone struck by the top US diplomat, which offered a sharp contrast to the confrontational rhetoric seen in previous years of the Trump administration.
A Shift in Tone, If Not Policy
Rubio’s speech, delivered to a packed hall at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, attempted to thread a needle between the “America First” doctrine and traditional alliance building. While he declared that “the old world is gone” and demanded Europe take greater responsibility for its own defense, he notably described the United States as a “child of Europe,” emphasizing deep cultural and historical bonds.
For Wadephul and other European leaders, this marked a significant de-escalation from the previous year’s conference, where US Vice President J.D. Vance had stunned delegates with a speech that many interpreted as an abandonment of the transatlantic security umbrella. Wadephul’s comments suggest Berlin is eager to seize on Rubio’s more diplomatic approach to stabilize relations.
“We live in a new era in geopolitics,” Rubio told the conference, “and it’s going to require all of us to reexamine what that looks like.” Wadephul interpreted this not as a threat, but as an invitation to a modernized partnership, telling DW that the speech underscored shared strategic interests despite “irritations” on specific policy fronts.
Objections: The Greenland Crisis and Trade Wars
Despite Wadephul’s optimistic assessment, the atmosphere in Munich remains tense. Critics argue that the “bright future” rhetoric papers over deep, structural fractures in the alliance. European officials privately express frustration over what they call the “Greenland crisis”—a reference to President Trump’s renewed and controversial interest in purchasing the Arctic territory, which has strained relations with Denmark and the broader EU.
Furthermore, economic tensions continue to simmer. French officials have pointed to a “double crisis” of Chinese trade aggression and American unpredictability. While Rubio spoke of unity, the current US administration has maintained aggressive tariff threats and has been accused of interfering in European domestic politics, with uncomfortable questions raised about US support for right-wing populist movements like the AfD in Germany.
Skeptics at the conference noted that while Rubio’s words were warmer, the policy substance remains transactional. “The music has changed, but the song remains the same,” one delegate remarked, questioning whether a “bright future” is possible when Washington demands alignment on US terms regarding China and trade while simultaneously threatening the economic stability of its allies.
Background: The MSC in a “Post-Atlantic” Era
The Munich Security Conference, traditionally a celebration of the post-WWII liberal order, has in recent years become the stage for its potential dismantling. The 2026 iteration takes place against a backdrop of what organizers have termed “wrecking ball politics.”
With the war in Ukraine entering its fourth year and new flashpoints emerging in the Middle East and the Arctic, the need for Western cohesion is higher than ever. However, the “Trump 2.0” era has forced Europe to grapple with the reality of a United States that views alliances through a strict cost-benefit lens. Wadephul’s comments reflect a pragmatic German strategy: acknowledging the new reality of US power politics while desperately trying to keep the framework of NATO and transatlantic cooperation intact.
Full interview with DW’s @NinaHaase at #MSC2026 ➡️ https://t.co/KIrhbxwP6s https://t.co/KF0mX4lMMq
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