Is the divorce final? The White House sharply criticized NATO on Wednesday, accusing its European allies of not adequately supporting the United States in the war against Iran, illustrating a rise in transatlantic tensions at the highest level.
Before this discreet meeting without any official communication between Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt relayed particularly harsh remarks from the American president: “They were tested, and they failed,” adding that it was “quite sad that NATO turned its back on Americans in the last six weeks, when Americans are the ones funding their defense.”
Trump and the United States could leave NATO
This anger is accompanied by concrete threats. When asked about a possible withdrawal of the United States from NATO, the spokesperson indicated that “it’s something the president is discussing,” specifying that the subject must be discussed with Mark Rutte. According to the Wall Street Journal, the administration is also considering redeploying American troops from uncooperative countries.
The discussions in Washington, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focused on operations against Iran, the war in Ukraine, and the strengthening of the “burden-sharing” among allies. These are subjects that reflect American expectations of increased commitment from NATO partners.
Europeans are “cowards” according to Trump
For several months, Donald Trump has been criticizing Europeans, whom he has described as “cowards,” while continuing to praise Mark Rutte as “a fantastic, great guy.” The Secretary General is trying to maintain a delicate balance between defending the allies and the relationship with Washington.
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Mark Rutte’s visit, presented as “long-planned,” occurred in a tense context following the American-Israeli strikes against Iran and disagreements on securing the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire obtained on Tuesday through Pakistan is set to resume, while discussions also focused on the war in Ukraine and the overall security dynamics.
