A military aircraft transporting Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Munich Security Conference in Germany was forced to return to Washington Thursday night after it encountered a “mechanical issue.

The European Union hopes to avert a damaging trade war with the U.S. over impending metals tariffs by prioritising negotiations rather than retaliatory countermeasures, EU officials signalled on Wednesday.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has criticized Germany’s free speech laws during an appearance at a conservative gathering outside Washington

Two top European leaders stiffened their spines Saturday over unsettling new policies from Washington under President Donald Trump, as Ukraine’s president urged creation of an “armed forces of Europe” and the leader of Germany denounced meddling in its election after U.

An Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Jim Risch, to Germany for the Munich Security Conference was forced to return to Washington.

The European Union should focus on negotiating with Washington to avert a transatlantic trade war while being ready with countermeasures, Germany's economy ministry said on Wednesday, ahead of a video conference of EU ministers.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has criticized Germany’s free speech laws during an appearance at a conservative gathering outside Washington, linking the country’s limits against hate speech to American troops stationed there.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance waves as he boards Air Force Two for travel back to Washington from Munich International Airport in Munich, Germany, Friday, Feb.14, 2025. (/Pool Photo

Vance criticises Europe on free speech and migration Germany's Pistorius calls Vance's comments 'unacceptable' Clash shows divisions between Washington and Europe Talks on Ukraine eclipsed by argument MUNICH,

A U.S. Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Munich was forced to return to Washington on Thursday after experiencing a mechanical problem, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

The secretary was on his way to the Munich Security Conference in Germany when the issue arose. He has since returned to Washington D.C. but is expected to continue his trip on a different plane.

A plane carrying U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio from Washington to Munich experienced a mechanical issue and has turned around, meaning Rubio will continue his travel to Germany and the Middle East on a separate air craft,