Europeans push back at US over claim they face ‘civilizational erasure’ : NPR

MUNICH — A top European Union official on Sunday rejected the notion that Europe faces “civilizational erasure,” responding to criticism leveled by the U.S. administration.

EU Rejects Claims of Decline

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addressed the Munich Security Conference following a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who offered a more reassuring tone to European allies than previous administrations but maintained a firm stance on Washington’s policy priorities.

Kallas referenced the U.S. national security strategy released in December, which asserted that economic stagnation in Europe “is eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure.” The strategy suggested Europe is being weakened by its immigration policies, declining birth rates, “censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition” and a “loss of national identities and self-confidence.”

“Contrary to what some may say, woke, decadent Europe is not facing civilizational erasure,” Kallas told the conference. “In fact, people still want to join our club and not just fellow Europeans,” she added, noting interest in EU membership from people in Canada.

Kallas dismissed what she called “European-bashing,” asserting that Europe “is… pushing humanity forward, trying to defend human rights and all this, which is actually bringing also prosperity for people. So that’s why it’s very hard for me to believe these accusations.”

Rubio stated that an end to the trans-Atlantic era “is neither our goal nor our wish,” adding that “our home may be in the Western hemisphere, but we will always be a child of Europe.” He affirmed the Trump administration’s position on issues including migration, trade, and climate change.

European officials at the conference indicated they would uphold their values, including commitments to free speech, climate action, and free trade. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Europe must defend “the vibrant, free and diverse societies that we represent, showing that people who look different to each other can live peacefully together, that this isn’t against the tenor of our times.”

“Rather, it is what makes us strong,” he said.

Kallas said Rubio’s speech signaled that the U.S. and Europe remain interconnected. “It is also clear that we don’t see eye to eye on all the issues and this will remain the case as well, but I think we can work from there,” she said.