NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday in an effort to reduce tensions ahead of a key alliance summit in July.
Rutte’s visit comes as NATO faces growing internal disagreements over the war in Iran, European defense spending and U.S. concerns about its military role in Europe.
The meeting is expected to focus on rebuilding alignment between Washington and its allies before the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara on July 7-8.
NATO tensions rise over Iran war and U.S. troop presence
Trump, a long-time critic of NATO who has previously described the alliance as a “paper tiger,” has been angered by what he sees as insufficient support from European allies during the Iran conflict.
The dispute intensified after NATO members were reluctant to support the U.S. campaign in the Middle East or assist with efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28.
Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized some NATO members over defense spending and announced a six-month review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe. The review could lead to reductions in American forces stationed on the continent.
The move came after Washington also reduced the pool of U.S. military capabilities available to NATO during a crisis, leaving allies to consider how to address potential gaps.
Rutte seeks to prevent alliance crisis
Since Trump returned to office, one of Rutte’s key roles has been managing tensions between the U.S. president and the alliance, including disputes over NATO members’ positions on the Iran war and Trump’s earlier push to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark.
Rutte has worked to prevent disagreements from developing into a broader crisis within the alliance.
Stephen Wertheim, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the NATO chief’s goal was likely to ensure Trump and other leaders were aligned before the summit.
The NATO summit carries risks because of the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s approach, he said, adding that even if Rutte reaches an understanding with the president, the situation could change before the meeting.
Defense spending remains a major issue
The U.S. has repeatedly called on European allies to increase defense spending, arguing that Washington carries too much of the burden for the alliance’s security.
At last year’s NATO summit in The Hague, leaders agreed to a major increase in defense spending, pledging to spend 5% of GDP on defense and defense-related measures within a decade.
While some European countries have significantly increased military spending, others have moved more slowly.
Rutte said he would present figures on rising defense investment during his meeting with Trump, arguing that NATO members are increasing their contributions.
In an interview, he also described disputes over U.S. basing and overflight rights during the Iran war as isolated incidents, saying hundreds of U.S. aircraft had operated from American bases across Europe in support of Washington’s military campaign.
July summit to focus on NATO commitments
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said Rutte’s trip was part of preparations for the Ankara summit, where leaders will discuss defense investment, expanding military production and continued support for Ukraine.
The alliance is under significant strain, with some European countries concerned that Washington could reduce its role or even withdraw from NATO, a move that would challenge the future of the organization.
Despite the tensions, Rutte has maintained close ties with U.S. defense officials, and Hegseth praised his leadership during a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
Rutte is also expected to meet members of Congress during his Washington visit as NATO leaders prepare for a summit that will test the strength of the alliance’s transatlantic partnership.
