GEOPOLITICS | U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Addresses Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) once again hosted a high-level speech from the United States, marking the return of 'Trump 2.0' officials. According to Ming Pao, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio delivered a speech on the 14th that was less controversial compared to last year's sharp criticism by Vice President Vance. Rubio stated that U.S. President Donald Trump aims to lead the world back to its 'rightful state,' criticizing the United Nations for its ineffectiveness in resolving international conflicts. He emphasized that the U.S. is prepared to independently take on the task of revitalizing Western civilization if necessary, although it prefers to collaborate with Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed relief after hearing Rubio's speech. However, U.S. Democratic Senator Andy Kim questioned the speech's tone, noting that while Rubio's delivery was less fiery than Vance's, the core message remained largely the same. In an interview with Bloomberg's editor-in-chief, Rubio admitted that his message aligned with what Vance conveyed last year.