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US President Donald Trump has once again lashed out at NATO following a closed-door meeting with the alliance’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Trump, already vocal about NATO’s lack of support for his war on Iran, made fresh comments that raised alarms over the United States possibly leaving the alliance.
“NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again,” he said on his Truth platform. He also revived his earlier threat to take action against Greenland, tweeting, “Remember Greenland, that big, poorly run, piece of ice!!!” His remark stirred up old tensions in NATO after his earlier suggestion to seize the Arctic island from NATO ally Denmark, a point of contention in the alliance.
Despite Trump’s comments, Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister, kept details of the discussion under wraps, saying only that it was “very frank” and “open.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that a potential NATO withdrawal would be discussed during the meeting, though no concrete steps were revealed.
Trump’s frustrations with NATO stem from what he perceives as the alliance’s failure to assist in the conflict with Iran, and his longstanding complaints about NATO members not meeting defence spending targets. Trump has also criticised NATO for its reluctance to take a leadership role in securing the Strait of Hormuz and its limits on US military presence in Europe.
Meanwhile, sources suggest Trump is considering removing US troops from certain NATO countries as punishment for what he views as inadequate support. However, a complete withdrawal from NATO would require congressional approval, making such a drastic move unlikely.
In a diplomatic attempt to smooth over tensions, Rutte, often referred to as the “Trump whisperer,” has worked hard to maintain a good relationship with the US president. His efforts have included meeting with US officials on various global issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, as NATO struggles to keep Trump from undermining the alliance’s credibility.
