NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is meeting with President Donald Trump, advocating for the military alliance that the U.S. leader has sharply criticized. Trump argues that his country bears too much of NATO's financial burden, especially after the Iran conflict. Rutte is known for his ability to charm Trump and he aimed to ease tensions during their White House meeting on Wednesday. Trump has renewed threats to leave NATO, raising stakes before next month's summit in Turkey. Rutte emphasizes European support, noting U.S. military activity in Europe. The Pentagon is reviewing U.S. forces in Europe, echoing Trump's critiques of NATO allies.
European leaders say President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany is just the latest signal that Europe must take more responsibility for its security. The Pentagon announced last week that 5,000 troops would leave, but Trump said the number would be higher. The move surprised many, and comes amid tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war. The leaders of Norway and Britain sought to downplay the impact of the troop reduction while acknowledging it provides a useful nudge for the continent to step up its role within NATO. European nations have increased defense spending over the past year in response to Trump's threats.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is refusing to say whether President Donald Trump wants to quit the military organization. Trump's threat to leave this time comes over the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, which NATO is not a party to and was not consulted about. Trump has criticized NATO allies as "cowards." He complains that NATO ignored his call for help when Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz. Rutte has won acclaim as a "Trump whisperer," but he's struggling to keep Trump engaged in NATO. He's been praising Trump for successes in the war, and for boosting defense spending. At the same time, Rutte insists NATO will not join the war.
By GEIR MOULSON, EMMA BURROWS and JAMES BROOKS Associated Press
Leader of Denmark and its semiautonomous territory Greenland are insisting that the island's sovereignty is nonnegotiable after U.S. President Donald Trump said he agreed to a framework on Arctic security with the head of NATO. Much about the potential deal remains unclear, though Trump said that "we're going to have total access to Greenland" and "we're going to have all the military access we want." Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen voiced guarded relief that Trump abruptly dropped his tariff threats and insistence on acquiring the island, but said he knew no concrete details of the agreement Trump cited.
By JOSH BOAK, WILL WEISSERT and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
President Donald Trump has announced he is canceling a planned tariff on U.S. allies in Europe over Greenland. This decision follows an agreement with NATO on a framework for a future Arctic deal. Earlier, Trump insisted on acquiring Greenland but said he would not use force. His comments have sparked concerns about a potential geopolitical standoff. Denmark remains firm on its sovereignty over Greenland. Trump's tariff threats have alarmed European leaders, who warn of a strong response. The situation has overshadowed Trump's plans to address U.S. housing prices, with Greenland dominating discussions.
U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threats against Greenland pose a new and potentially unprecedented challenge to NATO, perhaps even an existential one. The alliance is normally focused on external threats, but it could now face an armed confrontation involving its most powerful member. The White House says the administration is weighing options that could include military action to take control of the strategically located and mineral-rich island. Greenland is part of NATO ally Denmark. Trump's designs on Greenland could put at risk the entire future of NATO, which was founded in 1949 to counter the threat to European security posed by the Soviet Union.
