California Gov. Gavin Newsom handed his arch nemesis a backhanded compliment on Saturday, noting President Donald Trump’s attacks on Europe have united the continent in critical ways.
Newsom, during a panel at the Munich Security Conference, said Trump’s behavior toward the alliance — from threatening to seize Greenland to questioning the NATO alliance and enacting punishing tariffs — is compelling the continent to interact more closely on major issues.
“I believe Europe feels more united today than it has in some time,” Newsom said to loud applause. “And perhaps maybe that is the one contribution of Donald Trump.”
Newsom’s jab at the president came as Munich attendees digested a Saturday speech from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which took a measured tone toward the strained transatlantic relationship and called for a revitalization of ties between the beleaguered allies. His comments were a significant shift from Vice President JD Vance’s inflammatory speech last year, which lambasted Europe and called it a continent heading toward “civilizational suicide.”
While administration officials such as U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker insist Trump’s handling of foreign relationships has made both the U.S. stronger and safer, Newsom argued America is more isolated and weaker than it was before Trump took office.
Look no further than Canada’s electric vehicles deal with China, he said, referring to trade agreements American allies have signed with other countries in recent months. “That used to be us, so it breaks my heart.”
Newsom told the panel that the speech, in which Rubio said the U.S. and Europe “belong together,” was a sign the Trump administration is responding to Europe’s “conviction, character, purpose.”
The governor’s foray into European politics at the conference appeared, in many ways, like a test run for his 2028 presidential ambitions. The term-limited politician has sought to elevate his international profile in recent months. He traveled to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum in January and chastised world leaders for not strongly confronting the president.
Newsom on Friday told a different Munich panel that the tension between the U.S. and its longtime allies is “temporary,” and not just because Trump will leave the White House in 2029.
On Saturday, he predicted a Democratic takeover in the November midterms and said he believes the Supreme Court will soon take away the president’s sweeping tariff powers.
The specter of transatlantic partnership, he said, is still here.
“It’s not dead, it’s dormant,” Newsom said. “You may need to sleep with one eye open. It will take time, but it’s certainly not dead.”
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