Trump-Rutte talks go off rails over NATO's inaction on Iran
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald Trump (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
U.S. President Donald Trump vented frustration with NATO allies during the April 8 closed-door meeting with Secretary-General Mark Rutte, signaling he is weighing possible reprisals over their lack of support in the war with Iran, Politico reported on April 9, citing European and U.S. officials.
The meeting, originally planned as routine, turned tense when Trump criticized European countries, including Spain and France, for refusing to support the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Tehran, which has reached a fragile ceasefire on April 8.
“It went shit. The conversation was nothing but a tirade of insults,” one European official said, adding that Trump “apparently threatened to do just about anything.”
Two European officials and a person familiar with the talks said Trump indicated he was considering retaliatory options but did not provide specifics. They also said he pushed allies to take concrete steps to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
However, a White House official disputed this account, claiming that Trump made no demands. "As President Trump said yesterday, NATO was tested, and they failed," the official said, adding that he has "zero expectations" for the alliance.
After the meeting, Trump publicly criticized NATO and revived his proposal to annex Greenland.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart described the discussion as “very frank” but “constructive.” Rutte acknowledged Trump’s frustration, saying he sensed “disappointment” that many allies had not supported him.
One European official said Rutte’s visit may have helped defuse tensions, noting Trump’s public comments stopped short of concrete threats.
“That’s a climbdown compared to other comments of his,” the official said.
Allies have pledged to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but only after the complete ceasefire. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin would support freedom of navigation following a peace deal, while France’s military chief said Paris is considering “strictly defensive” options.
Last week, a U.K.-led coalition of 41 nations backed the idea of fresh sanctions and further diplomatic pressure on Iran over its closure of the critical strait — but clearly indicated they would not help militarily whilst the conflict continued.
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