Rubio pleaded with the assembled world leaders to get on board with the critique of the global order that drove President Donald Trump’s return to office last year. He rehashed the administration’s complaints on the failure of international institutions, unfettered trade and energy policies that he said are “impoverishing our people,” as well as “mass migration that threatens the cohesion of our societies.”
“We made these mistakes together, and now together, we owe it to our people to face those facts and to move forward,” he said. “It is our preference, and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe.
“For the United States and Europe, we belong together,” he said.
His speech came after top European leaders on Friday said they were willing to rebuild closer relations with the U.S., but underlined that the continent is proud of its own traditions, will enforce its own rules and will press to lessen its dependencies on outsiders — including the United States.
In his speech, Rubio emphasized the U.S. and Europe’s economic, military, cultural and spiritual connections.
“We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive,” he said.