Marco Rubio calls for ‘new Western Century’ as Europe weighs cost of closer US alignment​on February 16, 2026 at 12:26 pm

At the Munich Security Conference, Marco Rubio urged Europe to join the US in building a “new Western century”, centred on shared civilisation, tougher migration controls and independent supply chains. European leaders welcomed the call for unity but avoided endorsing his criticism of liberal values, highlighting ongoing tensions in transatlantic relations. At the Munich Security Conference, Marco Rubio urged Europe to join the US in building a “new Western century”, centred on shared civilisation, tougher migration controls and independent supply chains. European leaders welcomed the call for unity but avoided endorsing his criticism of liberal values, highlighting ongoing tensions in transatlantic relations.