Heads of state attend Munich Security ConferenceAP, MUNICHAn annual gathering of top security figures that last year set the tone for a growing rift between the US and Europe opened yesterday, bringing together many top European officials with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others. The Munich Security Conference opened with a speech by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of 15 heads of state or government from EU countries expected to attend. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on Thursday, before boarding his plane to the Munich Security Conference. “So it is particularly welcome that the American side has such great interest in Munich.”At last year’s conference, held a few weeks into US President Donald Trump’s second term, US Vice President J.D. That one NATO ally threatens another NATO ally has deeply affected European trust in the trans-Atlantic relationship.”

Source: Taipei Times February 13, 2026 16:33 UTC