NATO chief: Transatlantic unity remains strong despite trade disputes

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has assured that trade tensions between Europe and the United States under President Donald Trump will not undermine the alliance’s collective deterrence, reaffirming the importance of transatlantic unity in the face of global security challenges.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Monday, Rutte dismissed concerns that Europe might reconsider its security relationship with the U.S. He described the idea of a European defence strategy without Washington as a “silly thought”, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“We have to stay connected,” Rutte stated, citing geopolitical threats, including Russia. “The best thing the West can do is to stay united, and I know that the same thinking is still prevalent in the U.S., including in the White House.”

His remarks come as Trump continues to pressure NATO allies to increase their defence spending. While many European nations have recently moved to meet the alliance’s 2 per cent of GDP defence spending target, Trump has demanded a significantly higher contribution of 5 per cent.

Despite ongoing trade disputes, Rutte insisted these tensions would not weaken NATO’s strategic objectives. “There are always issues between allies. It is never always tranquil and happy going,” he said. “But trade tensions will not get in the way of our collective determination to keep our deterrence strong.”

Trump has unsettled European allies by imposing 25 per cent tariffs on imports from fellow NATO member Canada and threatening similar actions against the European Union. Additionally, Washington’s commitment to the alliance has come under scrutiny following Trump’s questioning of NATO’s collective defence policy, which asserts that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

The U.S., which allocated nearly $850 billion to defence spending last year, remains NATO’s dominant military power and a key contributor to Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression. However, Trump’s recent decision to freeze most foreign aid as part of his “America First” agenda has raised concerns over potential impacts on global security, including support for Kyiv.

Further straining transatlantic relations, Trump has also reignited tensions with NATO member Denmark by expressing intentions to acquire Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. Addressing this issue, Rutte played down the controversy and instead highlighted NATO’s role in Arctic security.

“President Trump alerted us to the fact that when it comes to the high north, there is a geopolitical and strategic issue at stake,” Rutte noted. “Collectively as an alliance, we will always look at the best way to make sure that we can tackle those challenges.”

With Trump’s foreign policy moves continuing to spark debate, Rutte’s reassurances seek to reinforce NATO’s unity amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.

By Vugar Khalilov