US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Washington will retain Europe as a key partner if it reverses “foolish but voluntary” policies on security, trade, migration and a “climate cult”. On Saturday, Rubio repeated many of the same arguments but in a more upbeat language, insisting the destiny of the US “is and always will be intertwined with yours”. While Europeans remained seated, US delegates gave Rubio a standing ovation, suggesting the strained transatlantic relationship is not yet off the critical list. “We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline,” said Rubio. In advance of a third round of negotiations next week in Geneva, Rubio said it was impossible to say for sure.

Source: The Irish Times February 14, 2026 13:46 UTC