Trump criticises Nato as alliance chief describes meeting as 'very frank'
Why it matters: The US President's continued criticism of NATO, despite congressional action, casts doubt on the future of the 32-member transatlantic alliance.
- Donald Trump publicly attacked NATO on Truth Social, stating the alliance "WASN'T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM" in the Iran war and won't be there again, echoing earlier threats to withdraw.
- Secretary General Mark Rutte described his meeting with Trump as "very frank" and "very open" to CNN, acknowledging disagreements but emphasizing that many European nations provided "basing, with logistics, with overflights" during the conflict.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quoted President Trump, asserting NATO was "tested and they failed" and that member countries "turned their backs on the American people."
- Rutte affirmed that the world is "absolutely" safer due to Trump's "leadership" in degrading Iran's nuclear threats, noting that most NATO members did not view the Iran war as illegal and supported the goal of degrading Iran's nuclear capabilities.
- The US Congress voted at the end of 2023 to prohibit any US president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without a two-thirds Senate majority or an act of Congress.
President Trump reiterated his strong criticism of NATO, accusing the alliance of failing to support the US during the Iran war and threatening withdrawal, following a "very frank" meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte. While Trump views NATO as having "failed" and "turned their backs" on the US, Rutte presented a more nuanced picture, highlighting that a "large majority of European nations" provided crucial logistical support and crediting Trump's leadership for degrading Iran's nuclear threats.
