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.

Just one day after addressing the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio used a brief stop in the Slovak capital to dispel fears of a US retreat from NATO, telling reporters that Washington remains firmly committed to the alliance.

Europe faces a dilemma between holding on to liberal values and moving closer to Trump’s vision of defending “Western civilisation”.