Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes

Episode Title: The Line That Should Terrify Europe
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Will Saletan (Bulwark)
Theme: Critique of U.S. Leverage Over Europe—Trump, Rubio, and the Myth of “Western” Security

Episode Overview

Will Saletan dissects recent statements by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and contrasts them with President Trump’s overt threats and extortion tactics toward Europe and other allies. The episode scrutinizes the underlying dangers of Europe’s reliance not just on China, but on the United States—arguing that, under Trump, American behavior increasingly mirrors the predatory leverage Rubio warns about in China.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Rubio’s Warnings About Dependence on China

• Rubio’s Thesis: At recent press conferences and the Munich Security Conference, Rubio warns Europe about the risks of depending on China for critical supply chains—especially minerals and industrial goods.
  • “[Today it’s] heavily concentrated in the hands of one country. And that lends itself to, at worst case scenario, being used as a tool of leverage in geopolitics.” (Rubio – 02:05)
  • “It was a foolish but voluntary transformation of our economy that left us dependent on others for our needs and dangerously vulnerable to crisis.” (Rubio – 02:35)
• Proposed Solution: A “Western supply chain” free from foreign extortion.
  • “Together advancing our mutual interests in new frontiers, creating a Western supply chain for critical minerals ... not vulnerable to extortion from other powers.” (Rubio – 03:02)

The Hypocrisy: U.S. Exercising the Same Leverage

• Saletan’s Argument: The U.S. already wields—and abuses—the very kind of leverage Rubio attributes to adversaries. Europe is at risk not only from China but from American coercion under Trump.
  • “There’s another country that also has way, way too much leverage over Europe ... and that country is us, the United States.” (Saletan – 01:00)

Trump’s Pattern of Economic and Military Threats

Venezuela as a “Demonstration”

• Military Power Used for Economic Gain: Trump orders an attack on Venezuela, topples Maduro, and seizes the country’s oil.
  • “That whole place could have been obliterated with one more strike. And we didn’t want to do that.” (Trump – 05:55)
• Saletan’s Take: This signals to all nations that failure to comply with U.S. demands can lead to military destruction.

The Greenland Gambit

• Explicit Threats: Trump declares intentions to acquire Greenland from Denmark—by force if necessary.

  • “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not ... Either the nice way or the more difficult one.” (Trump – 06:41)
  • “We’re going to have Greenland one way or the other.” (Trump – 07:11)
  • "How far are you willing to go to acquire Greenland?"
    “You’ll find out.” (Trump – 10:12)

• Economic Leverage as Coercion: Tariffs threatened against European countries who resist U.S. interests (e.g., over Greenland, drug prices, or cooperation with peace plans).

  • “And I may do that for Greenland too. I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland because we need Greenland for national security.” (Trump – 09:28)
  • "If they feel like costume, I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagne and he’ll join." (Trump – 09:48)

The Broader Message to Europe (and Canada)

• Trump’s World Economic Forum Speech: He publicly brags about unmatched U.S. military might and pressures Europe to cede Greenland.
  • “[Europe] probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won’t do that.” (Trump – 11:49)
  • “They have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember.” (Trump – 12:25)
• On Betraying Trust: Trump mocks Denmark’s decision to trust the U.S. in WWII, arguing the U.S. was “stupid” to return Greenland rather than keep it.
  • “After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that?” (Trump – 13:11)
  • "If he had been president ... he would have kept Greenland." (Trump – 13:44)
• Hostile Comments Toward Canada: Trump extends this rhetoric to Canada, highlighting a willingness to use U.S. economic dominance as a form of extortion.
  • “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.” (Trump – 14:33)

Saletan’s Critical Assessment

• Europe’s Dilemma: The promise of a “Western supply chain” (Rubio’s solution) is a false security blanket. The U.S., under Trump’s leadership, has proven itself willing to employ exactly the same bullying tactics as China against Europe and other partners.
  • “Europe cannot rely on a Western supply chain if that supply chain is primarily American, because Trump will do exactly what China would do. If he feels like it. He will use our economic power and our military power to force Europe to give him whatever he wants.” (Saletan – 16:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rubio’s Warning About Dependence:
  • “That lends itself to, at worst case scenario, being used as a tool of leverage in geopolitics.” (02:05)
• Trump on Venezuela:
  • “That whole place could have been obliterated with one more strike. And we didn’t want to do that.” (05:55)
• Trump’s Threat to Greenland/Denmark:
  • “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not.” (06:41)
  • “You’ll find out.” (10:12)
  • “We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won’t do that.” (11:49)
  • “They have a choice ... say no, and we will remember.” (12:25)
• Trump’s View on Wartime Trust:
  • “After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that?” (13:11)
  • “They should have kept it after World War II, but they had a different president.” (13:44)
• Trump on Canada:
  • “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that ... the next time you make your statements.” (14:33)
• Summary Point from Saletan:
  • “The whole lesson of the last month and a half is that that is a lie. Europe cannot rely on a Western supply chain if that supply chain is primarily American, because Trump will do exactly what China would do.” (16:06)

Key Timestamps for Reference

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 01:00 | Introduction to Rubio’s Europe warnings | | 02:05 | Rubio on China’s critical mineral leverage | | 03:32 | Rubio on Western dependency and defense | | 04:22 | Rubio on avoiding extortion, even from “anyone” | | 05:55 | Trump on Venezuela: linking military and oil control | | 06:41 | Trump threatens Greenland via force or “deals” | | 09:28 | Trump proposes tariffs to coerce Europe on Greenland | | 11:13 | Trump’s extortion at the World Economic Forum | | 13:11 | Trump questions past U.S. trustworthiness (Greenland) | | 14:33 | Trump’s warnings/threats to Canada | | 15:59 | Trump on economic war with Europe: “We have all cards” | | 16:06 | Saletan’s closing assessment |

Final Takeaway

This episode challenges the comforting narrative of Western alliances and shared supply chains. Will Saletan exposes the reality that, under Trump, the United States is wielding its military and economic power as a tool of extortion—making it, in practice, no less a threat to Europe’s autonomy than China. The line that should truly terrify Europe isn’t just its reliance on Chinese minerals—it’s the prospect that, when it comes to leverage and coercion, its oldest ally may now be its greatest risk.