Secretary Rubio at the Munich Security Conference: A Message of Reassurance about the Transatlantic Alliance

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered his keynote address at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) to widespread acclaim. In his remarks, Sec. Rubio, one of several ALEC alumni at MSC, shared hard truths with the audience about:

• Plans for “renewal and restoration” of global institutions and the critical importance of supply chains to both adversaries and rivals.
  • ALEC has addressed this issue in model policies such as a model Resolution on the Importance of Strengthening the United States’ Medical Supply Chains with Trusted Trading Partners and the Resolution to Prioritize Strengthening the model S.-Taiwan Partnership to Enhance Global Supply Chain Security and Resilience;
• The importance of controlling national borders, another topic on which ALEC members have led exemplified in this letter signed by ALEC leaders urging then President Biden to secure the southern border;
• The need to fix a feckless United Nations unable to defend freedom fighters in Iran on the very day that 250,000 protesters urging Iranian regime change rallied in Munich; and
• The imperative for Europeans to be able to defend themselves.

Sec. Rubio acknowledged that meeting global challenges in coordination with close partners is better not only for our allies but for America. He observed that, “while we are prepared to do this alone, it is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe … we belong together!”

Later, Sec. Rubio said that the creation of a Western supply chain for critical minerals “not vulnerable to extortion” from other powers should be one of the West’s highest priorities. Working together with our NATO allies and our friends in the Indo-Pacific is the most realistic path toward a future where China does not control 90% of the world’s critical and rare earths mineral processing capacity, a goal that has existential implications.

President Donald Trump has also recently emphasized the importance of allies, posting on Truth Social in late January: “The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken…”

America’s allies and alliances have made us stronger, acting as a force multiplier. In October 2020, then Secretary of Defense Mark Esper observed that, “…our global constellation of allies and partners remain an enduring strength that our competitors and adversaries cannot match.” That same year, ALEC members approved the model Resolution Supporting the United States’ Commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) During the Year the Alliance Celebrates Its 70^th Anniversary.

Following a standing ovation for Secretary of State Rubio, Wolfgang Ischinger, the Chairman and Founder of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) offered gratitude: “Thank you for offering this message of reassurance about our partnership!” Hopefully, Rubio has restored bonds within the Alliance that brought unparalleled peace and prosperity to the United States and America’s friends for 80 years.