Bulwark Takes The Line That Should Terrify Europe
Feb 17, 2026
Discussion of Marco Rubio's warning that Europe's dependence on China creates leverage ripe for coercion. A push for a Western critical-minerals supply chain to reduce that vulnerability. Examples of U.S. actions and rhetoric that mirror coercive leverage, from economic threats to military posturing. Concerns that Europe can no longer take allied reliability for granted.
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Western Supply Chain Irony
- Marco Rubio warned Europe about dependence on China and urged a Western supply chain for critical minerals.
- Will Saletan points out Rubio omitted that the U.S. itself holds comparable leverage over Europe.
Venezuela As A Demonstration
- Saletan recounts Trump's January military action in Venezuela and subsequent seizure of Venezuelan oil as a demonstration of U.S. power.
- He uses this episode to show how the U.S. can and does coerce other countries when it chooses.
Greenland Threat Example
- Saletan recounts Trump's explicit threat to take Greenland 'the hard way' if Denmark resisted U.S. interest.
- He emphasizes Trump framed both military and economic options as tools to compel compliance.