Standing ovation! Rubio's speech has finally eased Europe's nerves
On February 14, Rubio made a statement at the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing that the U.S. and Europe need to unite, and that Europe should be self-reliant, rejecting the status quo of Western decline. His speech received a standing ovation, and Europe generally felt relieved. Compared to Vance's harsh criticism of Europe's reliance on the U.S. a year ago, the tone this time was significantly more moderate, seen as a major shift in the Trump administration's strategy towards allies, temporarily cooling down transatlantic relations to avoid risks.
Rubio's "reassuring speech" is a tactical warming of U.S.-European relations, not a strategic shift. Last year, Vance publicly criticized Europe for its lack of defense efforts, triggering a crisis of trust; this year, the U.S. used a more moderate tone to stabilize the base. History has long proven that alliances are bound by interests, not by slogans. Currently, Europe's defense spending still fails to meet targets, and the push for strategic autonomy is progressing slowly, with deep-rooted dependence on U.S. security. While the U.S. speaks of unity, it actually wants Europe to pay more and take on more responsibilities. This standing ovation is more like a sigh of relief from Europe, rather than true reassurance. The multipolar world is accelerating, relying on others for protection is ultimately unstable, and self-reliance and strength are the way forward.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857094210925572/
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