Trump criticises Nato as alliance chief describes meeting as ‘very frank’
Trump criticises Nato as alliance chief describes meeting as ‘very frank’
Following a private session with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his criticisms of the alliance, particularly its lack of support during the Iran conflict. In a post on Truth Social, he declared:
“NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again.”
Meanwhile, Rutte characterized the encounter as “very frank” and “very open,” acknowledging that tensions remained despite the exchange.
Trump had previously hinted at withdrawing from NATO, a move fueled by European nations’ reluctance to contribute to reopening the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize oil prices. The meeting, lasting over two hours, aimed to persuade him of NATO’s continued value to both the U.S. and its allies. However, Rutte noted that Trump still harbors reservations about the alliance and its members, citing dissatisfaction with their involvement in Operation Epic Fury.
Rutte emphasized to CNN that most European countries had been supportive, offering logistical aid and basing facilities. “The large majority of European nations has been helpful with basing, with logistics, with overflights,” he stated. This nuanced stance contrasts with Trump’s blunt assertion that NATO had “tested and failed” in its role, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt confirmed Trump’s frustration, quoting him directly:
“NATO was tested and they failed.”
She further claimed that member states had “turned their backs on the American people,” who subsidize their defense budgets. Rutte’s rapport with Trump, however, suggests a potential bridge between the two sides, though its effectiveness remains uncertain.
Despite the meeting, the broader challenge for NATO persists. The U.S. Congress had recently passed a resolution requiring a two-thirds Senate majority or congressional approval for unilateral withdrawal from the alliance. Trump’s discontent, amplified by his grievances over Greenland, culminated in a dramatic remark:
“Remember Greenland, that big, poorly run, piece of ice!!!”
This latest dispute could mark a pivotal moment in NATO’s history, testing its resilience against U.S. leadership shifts.
