Description: The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is expected to arrive in Brussels at the meeting of Europe’s foreign ministers alongside the US Ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker. The meeting is expected to cover the causes of the dissolution in relations between Europe and the US and the latter’s position in NATO’s uncertain future. European foreign leaders are expected to clarify whether there would be a significant US troop withdrawal from Europe and to discuss the demands for raised GDP spending on defense amid warmed relations between the US and Russia. Additional talks are expected to be held regarding the opposing positions of the US and Europe towards the Ukraine war and the recent imposition of tariffs.
Impact: Rubio’s visit to Europe designates the US’ transferable positioning towards diplomatic and defense ties with Europe through NATO. Rubio would most probably assure European foreign leaders of a decreased but yet strong US presence in NATO’s future. Opposing diplomatic positions on key issues such as the war in Ukraine would most certainly be raised as Europe would try to emerge as an independent actor in the peace negotiations from which its has been sidelined. Rubio’s visit could be perceived as laying the diplomatic groundwork for the NATO Summit in June, which would clarify both the US and Europe’s further geopolitical positioning on a global level in the mid to long – term.