Rutte heads to Washington as Trump slams NATO allies

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to visit Washington next week on what alliance officials describe as a long-planned trip, amid rising tensions between the United States and its European allies.

According to Reuters, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed the visit, stating that Rutte will travel to Washington as scheduled. A White House official also confirmed the upcoming trip, though no further details have been released.

The visit follows recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who sharply criticized European NATO members over disagreements linked to the war in Iran. Trump said he is considering the possibility of withdrawing the United States from the alliance, citing the refusal of European allies to deploy ships to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a White House Easter dinner with allied representatives on Wednesday, April 1, Trump singled out France, the United Kingdom, and other partners, describing them as “paper tigers.”

NATO, founded in 1949 and comprising the United States, Canada, and European nations, remains a central pillar of Western security.

“We’ve had very bad allies in NATO,” Trump said. “Hopefully we’ll never need them. I don’t think we will need them.”

By Tamilla Hasanova