The Munich Security Conference has long been known for its influential policy statements and side meetings that leave a lasting mark. However, this year the event generated more excitement than usual, with two speeches—one by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and another by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—presenting opposing visions for the future of transatlantic relations. Merz declared that we are ending an era in transatlantic relations as we knew it, emphasizing that the United States«