The Shadow of Munich: Newsom’s "Backdoor" Diplomacy Meets Europe’s Quest for Independence

MUNICH — As the 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolds, a high-level delegation of American Democrats has taken to the global stage with a unified message for jittery European allies: the current era of "wrecking ball" politics has an expiration date.

Led by figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the group sought to provide a "counter-narrative" to the Trump administration’s "America First" agenda. Their presence served as a reminder that despite the current administration's friction with the trans-Atlantic alliance, a significant portion of American leadership remains committed to traditional partnerships.

"This Too Shall Pass"

California Governor Gavin Newsom, widely viewed as a top contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, delivered the weekend’s most blunt reassurance. Speaking on Friday, Newsom addressed the apprehension surrounding President Trump’s policies, including recent threats regarding Greenland and steep trade tariffs.

"If there’s nothing else I can communicate today: Donald Trump is temporary. He’ll be gone in three years," Newsom told the audience, urging European leaders not to "grovell" but to wait out the current political cycle.

 

Newsom’s comments were part of a broader "bashing tour" that began at the World Economic Forum in Davos and continued in Munich, where he also signed an economic recovery and innovation agreement with Ukrainian regional leaders.

Reassurance vs. Reshaping

The conference presented a stark contrast in American diplomacy. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a more emollient tone than Vice President JD Vance’s combative 2025 speech—describing America as a "child of Europe"—his vision remains firmly rooted in Trump’s desire to reshape the alliance.

Democrats, however, emphasized a return to "interdependence" rather than the "conditionality" championed by the White House.

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH): Emphasized that the delegation's primary goal was to prove the U.S. still understands the vital importance of its European allies.

• Senator Mark Warner (D-VA): Pivoted to domestic stability, warning that the freedom of the 2026 midterm elections is at stake due to executive talk of nationalizing election requirements.

• Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ): Candidly noted, "Sometimes you have to remind them that this is not all Trump... We're still here."

Economic Inequality as a Security Threat

One of the conference's biggest draws was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who linked global security directly to domestic economic policy. She argued that the rise of authoritarianism—both in the U.S. and abroad—is a direct result of decades of government failure to deliver for the working class.

Ocasio-Cortez warned that without reining in corporate power and addressing wealth inequality, the world risks falling into an isolated state governed by "authoritarians who do not deliver for working people." Her "working-class-centered politics" served as a progressive alternative to the populist "siren calls" currently dominating the American executive branch.

Looking Ahead to 2028

The heavy presence of Democratic governors and legislators in Munich underscores a shift in how the party handles foreign policy. By engaging directly with world leaders, potential 2028 candidates are building the "national security credentials" necessary to challenge the current administration's worldview.

While the Trump administration continues to push for a new international order, the message from Munich was clear: Europe’s oldest ally is currently a nation divided, and one side is already planning for a post-Trump world.

European Leaders Respond: Resilience, Independence, and the "Newsom Factor"

While American Democrats like Gavin Newsom and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were busy reassuring the Munich Security Conference that "Trump is temporary," European leaders were crafting a much more permanent response.

The takeaway from European halls of power wasn't just a sigh of relief at the Democratic "counter-tour," but a hardening resolve that Europe can no longer afford to be a "bystander to bulldozer politics."

1. The "Wake-Up Call" from Berlin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz set the tone for the summit with a speech that was as much a warning to Washington as it was a rallying cry for Europe. Merz directly challenged the Trump administration's "America First" unilateralism, switching to English to deliver a blunt message:

"In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone. Dear friends, being a part of NATO is not only Europe's competitive advantage. It is also the United States' competitive advantage."

Merz explicitly rejected the "culture war of the MAGA movement," stating that Europe stands by climate agreements, free trade, and international institutions like the WHO—areas where California Governor Newsom found significant common ground during his meetings with German officials.

2. Von der Leyen: Building a "European Backbone"

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used the summit to propose a "New European Security Strategy." Her message was clear: regardless of who is in the White House in three years, Europe must become "independent in every dimension."

• Defense Investment: Von der Leyen projected that by 2028, European defense spending would exceed the amount the U.S. spent on equipment last year.

• The "Newsom Partnership": While Trump pulls back from climate and tech cooperation, Von der Leyen and Newsom emphasized "subnational diplomacy." Newsom signed an MOU with Ukraine’s Lviv region, reinforcing California as a "reliable international partner" even while the federal government pivots.

3. The Greenland and "Donroe Doctrine" Friction

The conference was overshadowed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s fierce condemnation of U.S. pressure regarding Greenland, calling it "totally unacceptable." European leaders have begun mocking the administration's "Donroe Doctrine"—a play on the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine—which they view as an attempt to treat the Western Hemisphere and the Arctic as a private U.S. resource pool.

4. Direct Reactions to Democratic Reassurances

While leaders like Keir Starmer (UK) and Donald Tusk (Poland) welcomed the "reassuring" presence of the Democratic delegation, there was a palpable skepticism.

• The "Stability Gap": Many European diplomats noted that while Newsom’s "Trump is temporary" message is comforting, the fact that Democrats currently "do not control any branch of government" makes their promises difficult to bank on for immediate policy.

• AOC’s Economic Warning: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s focus on wealth inequality as a driver of authoritarianism resonated with many European social democrats, who see the same populist pressures rising within their own borders.

The Bottom Line: Europe is no longer waiting for the 2028 U.S. election. Whether through Merz’s "new transatlantic partnership" or Von der Leyen’s "European backbone," the continent is actively "de-risking" its relationship with Washington—treating the Democratic reassurances as a hopeful possibility, but not a strategy.