Trump to meet Rutte at the White House to discuss NATO membership
Donald Trump's turn has plunged NATO to the brink of an existential crisis. Between doubts about continued American involvement and pressure for European autonomy, the future of this key transatlantic security organization has never seemed so uncertain.
Visiting the White House, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will have to convince President Trump that U.S. interests are best served as a core member of the Atlantic Alliance. The United States will pressure NATO allies to focus on their obligation to defend themselves without relying on American support, according to sources.
President Trump has long pushed for NATO countries to spend more on defense, and has threatened to withdraw U.S. support for members that do not pay at least 2% of their GDP on defense. “Rutte is very focused on keeping the United States in NATO, and I think he is very smart about it. He will not be combative while he is there,” continued the American official interviewed.
Donald Trump meets Mark Rutte to talk about NATO membership
“We've got to separate NATO from Ukraine because up to now we've been very involved, but NATO is bigger than Ukraine right now,” the official added, referring to the US ceasefire initiative. President Trump is expected to emphasize this message strongly once again today. He had reiterated that the U.S. would remain in NATO “if they treat us fairly and fulfill their financial obligations.”
During a White House event on Wednesday, Trump remarked, “I made it clear that I won’t support NATO unless members pay their dues. When asked if we would assist those who don’t pay, I said no—if you’re delinquent, you’re on your own.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is meeting with President Trump as discussions continue over a potential truce in Ukraine.
However, U.S. sources indicate that today’s conversation will shift focus from Ukraine to the future of NATO and the U.S. push for faster and more significant defense burden-sharing among European allies. Rutte is anticipated to focus on persuading Trump that the U.S. should remain in NATO for its long-term strategic interests, especially as America shifts its attention toward security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The former Dutch Prime Minister is said to have developed a close rapport with Trump, with the two leaders communicating frequently. Rutte has consistently echoed the U.S. position that Europe must increase its defense spending and take greater responsibility for its own security. NATO allies are required to allocate 2% of their GDP to defense, though eight countries have yet to meet this target.
Trump and Rutte at the Oval Office on March 13th. Photo: Getty.
Why is this meeting at the White House pivotal?
The visit occurs after the chaotic meeting between the Republican president and his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky, on February 28 in the executive mansion. Both leaders ended shouting and without signing a key economic agreement that would allow the United States access to rare earth minerals from the European nation.
However, bilateral tension decreased. Yesterday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led a delegation from Washington, met with the Ukrainian side to discuss peace and the end of the war with Russia.
Yesterday, Trump also held talks with the Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin. At the beginning of the meeting with his guest, Trump promised to respond to the threat from the European Union (EU) to impose counter-tariffs for some 28 billion dollars (26 billion euros) starting in April. This follows the entry into force this Wednesday of general levies on imports of steel and aluminum.