Amidst escalating trade disputes and repeated criticisms from US President Donald Trump, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte insisted on Monday that the alliance’s collective deterrence remains strong and uncompromised, Al Jazeera reports.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Rutte dismissed suggestions that Europe could abandon its security relationship with the United States, calling the notion of a European defense strategy without Washington a “silly thought.”
Rutte’s comments come in response to Trump’s frequent accusations that NATO partners are not contributing enough financially to their own defense and his past threats to potentially withdraw US protection in the event of an attack. While many European NATO members have been increasing their defense spending towards the alliance’s recommended minimum of 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Trump recently demanded a massive hike to 5% of GDP.
“European defense without the US will not work,” Rutte affirmed, adding, however, that Trump’s trade tensions “will not get in the way of our collective determination to keep our deterrence strong.”
He acknowledged the inherent complexities of alliance relationships.
Trump’s imposition of 25% tariffs on imports from Canada, a fellow NATO member, and similar threats against the European Union have rattled Washington’s closest partners. The US, with nearly $850 billion spent on defense last year, remains NATO’s dominant military power, maintaining troops stationed across Europe and playing a significant role in providing military and financial aid to Ukraine.
Despite this, Trump has repeatedly questioned the US commitment to NATO’s core principle of collective defense – the idea that an attack on one member is an attack on all. His administration has also frozen nearly all foreign assistance as part of his “America First” agenda, impacting controversial funding for Ukraine.
Beyond trade and aid concerns, Trump has also raised eyebrows with his expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governed territory of NATO member Denmark.
On Monday, Rutte attempted to diffuse tensions surrounding Greenland, suggesting NATO should play a more substantial role in strengthening defenses in the Arctic region.
“President Trump alerted us to the fact that when it comes to the high north, there is a geopolitical and strategic issue at stake,” Rutte stated, indicating a potential area for increased NATO focus.
