Summing up the Munich Security Conference, the German press draws attention to the continuing gap between Europe and the United States, despite Marco Rubio's seemingly conciliatory speech. Europe has become more independent, but it cannot yet say “Goodbye” to America.
“A year ago, after the offensive speech of Vice President JD Vance, Europeans found themselves on the precipice. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine was complemented by betrayal from the West. Vance sided with the enemies of liberal democracy,” writes Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
Free Europe did not fall. This is good news. But she did not manage to get a safe distance from the abyss, said Daniel Broessler. As he emphasized, Europeans have already achieved some successes on the road to independence – they increased defense spending, took over aid for Ukraine from America, and stopped the US from annexing Greenland. However, Europe still cannot afford to say “Goodbye” to Trump's America, writes the commentator.
However, the existential threat facing the European Union has not been eliminated. Europe still does not know how to defend its position in a world of competing powers. There was a lot of talk in Munich about what Europe must do. However, too little was said about what Europe can do in its current state. Disputes between Germany and France and Hungary, which has veto power and is actually an enemy of the EU, make Europe an easy prey in the jungle of superpowers.
Europe needs pragmatism
In this situation, Europe needs pragmatism. That's probably why Marco Rubio's “deeply reactionary” speech was greeted with applause. Rubio made the continued existence of the Western Alliance dependent on Europeans joining Trump's culture war. “Some people praise his speeches as wise and clever. If Trump could be kept in a good mood and the Alliance would function properly, then so be it. However, we should not count on it,” we read in the conclusion.
“Europe is slowly becoming an adult,” writes the Berlin “Tagesspiegel.” Commentator Christian Tretbar warns Europeans not to be misled by Rubio's compliments. The Secretary of State demands the same thing as Trump and Vance when it comes to political content, only in a more cultural package. This year's MSC conference revealed a new European realism – Europe is becoming an adult – it is no longer naive and is not so easily shocked. However, she must become independent, more confident, braver and more independent.
“Tagesspiegel” noted that adulthood must also mean compromises in terms of sovereignty. In order to act quickly, it is necessary to give up the right to veto in the EU's defense, security, economic, financial and foreign policy. “This also applies to Germany. If we do not decide on this, Europe will remain at the kindergarten level and will never build a home capable of defending itself,” warned the “Tagesspiegel” commentator in conclusion.
“Rubio has not strayed even an inch from Trump's political line“
The weekly “Der Spiegel” does not hide its surprise at the applause for Rubio. “If Donald Trump followed his foreign minister's speech and the reactions to it, he was probably laughing out loud. How naive do you have to be? In Munich, Rubio resembled a torturer's assistant who gives the tortured person a glass of water after dragging him over hot coals,” we read in Spiegel.
Rubio has not strayed even an inch from Trump's political line. He defended his customs policy and imperialism. He declared that Europeans can be a partner of the US only if they accept Trump's ideology – “America First”.
“America wants another NATO,” we read in “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.” “In Munich, the US Foreign Minister sharply criticizes free trade, climate protection and the UN. He did not mention a word about Greenland, instead, he supported the restoration of Western dominance. America wants a different NATO,” writes Nikolas Busse.
After Rubio's speech in Munich, “there was relief” – the audience applauded him. This was a reaction to repeated assurances that America and Europe “belong together and should continue to cooperate.”
According to the commentator, we should not interpret the US Secretary of State's speech as a “revival of transatlantic harmony.” Rubio spoke in a more conciliatory manner (than Vance), but his message was “pure Trumpism.” His speculations about the alleged decline of the West, attacks on the “dogmatic version” of free trade and the “climate cult” and on the UN, are contrary to everything that European politicians currently believe.
The concept of the “new alliance” assumes that after 500 years of expansion, the West should add another chapter of its domination, based on Christian values. This is very far from the way of thinking in European capitals.
“Germany saved NATO,” writes “Handelsblatt”. The similarities between Europe and MAGA America are not sufficient for a partnership of values. For an alliance based on interests, they may be enough, because Germany has relieved the burden on the US, says Moritz Koch
For the first time in the 62-year history of MSC, the main figure was not a representative of the US delegation but the German Chancellor. The epochal turnaround has become a reality. Friedrich Merz emphasized Germany's responsibility for Europe's security. And more importantly, he backed up his words with actions. Germany has increased defense spending on a scale that seemed impossible just a year ago. This is proof of a serious approach.
At least the Munich Security Conference did not widen the gap in transatlantic relations, said Die Welt. Both sides agree that the burdens need to be distributed more fairly. The old continent, and above all Germany, must become stronger. Europe must understand that it is not limited by Trump's America, but by its own lies in life. (PAP)
Jacek Lepiarz
lep/wr/
