Trump Criticizes NATO Over Lack of Support for Iran Military Action During Rutte Meeting
During a meeting with Mark Rutte, Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with NATO members for not adequately supporting U.S. military actions against Iran. Rutte acknowledged Trump's disappointment with many NATO allies. Trump criticized NATO as "paper tigers" on social media and reiterated threats regarding Greenland, escalating tensions within the transatlantic alliance.
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- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 11:07
- 🔍 Collected: April 9, 2026 at 12:00 (53 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 18:04 (150h 4m after Collected)
Reuters reported that Rutte (Mark Rutte), after spending more than two hours at the White House, stated in an interview on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper": "He is clearly disappointed with many NATO allies, and I can understand his point of view. It was a very frank, very open discussion, but also a conversation between two good friends."
Hours earlier, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt quoted Trump regarding NATO's performance during the Iran war: "They were tested, and they failed."
Several NATO countries refused to support the U.S. military action against Iran, not allowing U.S. military aircraft to use their airspace, or being unwilling to send naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz for energy tankers.
Rutte did not specify which countries, but he stated that he believed "some" NATO countries failed to fulfill their commitments in the Iran operation, but "the vast majority of European countries" provided help.
The White House did not release details of their meeting, but after the closed-door meeting with Rutte, Trump fiercely criticized NATO on social media and seemed to reiterate threats against Greenland.
AFP reported that he posted on his social media platform Truth Social: "NATO was not there when we needed them, and they won't be there if we need them again."
Trump also added: "Remember Greenland, that big, poorly managed chunk of ice!!!" Beyond that, Trump offered no further explanation.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO as "paper tigers" and threatened to withdraw from the 32-member transatlantic alliance. He pointed out that Washington's European allies rely on U.S. security guarantees while failing to provide sufficient support for U.S. and Israeli bombing operations against Iran.
Although Trump stated yesterday that attacks against Iran would be suspended under a two-week ceasefire agreement, the aftermath of this conflict will continue to exacerbate tensions between Washington and its allies, indicating that diplomatic consequences may last longer.
Leavitt said today that NATO countries "turned their backs" on the "American people" who fund their defense, and she also stated that Trump would have a "very frank and candid conversation" with the NATO Secretary General.
Two European diplomats said that Trump called on countries relying on Persian Gulf oil to break Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but as long as hostilities continue, European countries are unlikely to join mine-sweeping or other channel-clearing missions.
Rutte is known in Europe as "Trump's whisperer." Despite the tense relationship, he maintains a friendly relationship with Trump, and last year described Trump as handling the Israel-Iran dispute like a "father" dealing with a schoolyard fight. Another European diplomat described Rutte's approach to Trump as respectful yet highly effective.
One of two European officials who participated in such conversations said that although senior U.S. officials privately assured European governments that the Trump administration remains committed to its NATO obligations, the escalating conflict around Iran exacerbates transatlantic concerns about Ukraine, Greenland, and defense spending.
Oana Lungescu, former NATO spokesperson now at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said: "This is a dangerous moment for the transatlantic alliance." (Compiler: Chang Hsiao-wen) 1150409
Hours earlier, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt quoted Trump regarding NATO's performance during the Iran war: "They were tested, and they failed."
Several NATO countries refused to support the U.S. military action against Iran, not allowing U.S. military aircraft to use their airspace, or being unwilling to send naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz for energy tankers.
Rutte did not specify which countries, but he stated that he believed "some" NATO countries failed to fulfill their commitments in the Iran operation, but "the vast majority of European countries" provided help.
The White House did not release details of their meeting, but after the closed-door meeting with Rutte, Trump fiercely criticized NATO on social media and seemed to reiterate threats against Greenland.
AFP reported that he posted on his social media platform Truth Social: "NATO was not there when we needed them, and they won't be there if we need them again."
Trump also added: "Remember Greenland, that big, poorly managed chunk of ice!!!" Beyond that, Trump offered no further explanation.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO as "paper tigers" and threatened to withdraw from the 32-member transatlantic alliance. He pointed out that Washington's European allies rely on U.S. security guarantees while failing to provide sufficient support for U.S. and Israeli bombing operations against Iran.
Although Trump stated yesterday that attacks against Iran would be suspended under a two-week ceasefire agreement, the aftermath of this conflict will continue to exacerbate tensions between Washington and its allies, indicating that diplomatic consequences may last longer.
Leavitt said today that NATO countries "turned their backs" on the "American people" who fund their defense, and she also stated that Trump would have a "very frank and candid conversation" with the NATO Secretary General.
Two European diplomats said that Trump called on countries relying on Persian Gulf oil to break Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but as long as hostilities continue, European countries are unlikely to join mine-sweeping or other channel-clearing missions.
Rutte is known in Europe as "Trump's whisperer." Despite the tense relationship, he maintains a friendly relationship with Trump, and last year described Trump as handling the Israel-Iran dispute like a "father" dealing with a schoolyard fight. Another European diplomat described Rutte's approach to Trump as respectful yet highly effective.
One of two European officials who participated in such conversations said that although senior U.S. officials privately assured European governments that the Trump administration remains committed to its NATO obligations, the escalating conflict around Iran exacerbates transatlantic concerns about Ukraine, Greenland, and defense spending.
Oana Lungescu, former NATO spokesperson now at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said: "This is a dangerous moment for the transatlantic alliance." (Compiler: Chang Hsiao-wen) 1150409