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Trump presses NATO loyalty
U.S. President Donald Trump told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House that he was "disappointed" with key NATO members over their support during the war with Iran, singling out Italy, the UK, Germany and France.
“At the meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte, U”
Trump said, "I was disappointed with Italy. I was disappointed with the UK," and added, "We were disappointed with Germany and France. We're disappointed with most of them."
In the same remarks, Trump reserved sharp criticism for Spain, accusing Madrid of freeloading on collective defense efforts and saying, "Spain is a horror show. Spain is terrible."
Rutte defended the U.S. leader’s commitment to the alliance, insisting, "He is completely committed to the NATO alliance," while emphasizing that Trump expects allies to spend more to equalize with the United States.
Rutte cites spending increases
After the meeting, Rutte rejected characterizations that Trump lacks commitment to NATO, saying, "He was always clear: 'I'm committed to the NATO alliance, but I expect allies to spend more to equalize with the United States.'"
Rutte credited Trump with securing a 5% defense spending commitment at The Hague summit and highlighted a $139 billion increase in European and Canadian military expenditures over the past year.
Rutte said, "The Europeans and Canada are now on a trajectory to equalize their spending with the United States," pointing to a nearly 20% spending hike by European allies and Canada as evidence of Trump's leadership on burden-sharing.
The German outlet DIE WELT reported that Trump also offered praise to Wolodymyr Selenskyj, saying he was "brave" and defends his country "pretty well" against Russia.
Troop posture and summit
The remarks came as NATO prepares for a leaders’ summit next month, with Trump’s administration weighing potential changes to the U.S. military presence on the Continent.
“Trump criticizes NATO allies over 'disappointing' Iran war support US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment Wednesday with several key NATO members including Italy, the UK, Germany and France over their insufficient support during the war with Iran, while Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the US leader's commitment to the alliance”
Stars and Stripes said the administration launched a force posture review led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a process that could have implications for where U.S. troops are based in Europe.
The outlet also said roughly 80,000 American troops operate in Europe and noted uncertainty after the Defense Department announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, later emerging that most were already slated for a nine-month deployment to Poland.
DIE WELT added that NATO is likely to view Trump’s turnaround toward Ukraine as a positive sign for its summit in the Turkish capital Ankara on July 7-8, to which Selenskyj is invited.
