BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker sought to reassure European allies on Wednesday that Washington remains committed to the Western military alliance, despite President Donald Trump’s recent criticisms.
Speaking ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Mr. Rutte dismissed concerns of an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Europe, even as Washington pressures allies to increase their defense spending.
“There are no plans for them to all of a sudden draw down their presence here in Europe,” Mr. Rutte said. “But we know that for America, being the superpower they are, they have to attend to more theatres.”
Mr. Whitaker, who assumed his post as the U.S. permanent representative to NATO on April 3, echoed the commitment but emphasized burden-sharing.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, NATO will be stronger and more effective than ever before,” he said. “But NATO’s vitality rests on every ally doing their fair share.”
Growing Concerns Over U.S. Stance on Europe
European officials remain uneasy about Mr. Trump’s attempts to repair ties with Moscow and his pressure on Kyiv as he seeks to end the war in Ukraine on terms that could reshape the region’s security.
Mr. Trump’s new trade tariffs on Europe have further fueled tensions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to clarify the U.S. position during the Brussels summit.
A senior NATO diplomat acknowledged European frustration over being left out of U.S.-Russia negotiations on Ukraine.
“That’s hard to swallow, but that’s a fact of life,” the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Shifting U.S. Priorities
The Trump administration has made it clear in recent months that Washington cannot remain primarily focused on Europe’s security, pushing NATO allies to increase military spending.
The debate over NATO’s future comes as the alliance marks its 75th anniversary, with concerns growing over whether the U.S. will maintain its role as the ultimate guarantor of European security.
While NATO leaders insist the alliance remains strong, the uncertainty surrounding Mr. Trump’s policies continues to cast a shadow over transatlantic relations.