US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, trying to reassure them that the United States is committed to the alliance. However, tensions were heightened when President Donald Trump announced tariffs on goods imported from the European Union, which includes 23 NATO member states.
Rubio stated that the US is as active in NATO as ever and that President Trump supports the alliance. He also proposed that all NATO members commit to spending at least 5% of their GDP on defense, a goal that is currently met by only a few countries. The proposal aims to strengthen the alliance’s collective defense capability.
Despite Rubio’s efforts, many European officials remain skeptical about the US commitment to NATO. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged that transatlantic unity is being tested by Trump’s decisions, while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the importance of economic security for all forms of security.
The alliance faces significant challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the prospect of US disengagement from Europe. NATO officials are preparing for a potential drawdown of US troops stationed in Europe, which could lead to concerns about the alliance’s stability.
Rubio’s message is likely to be met with skepticism by many Europeans, given recent comments made by Trump and the impact of his tariffs on trade relations between the US and EU. The proposal for increased defense spending may not be feasible for all NATO members, who would need to adopt a command economy similar to Russia’s to achieve such high levels of expenditure.
The war in Ukraine will remain a top priority for NATO at its upcoming summit in June, with Trump still negotiating with Moscow and Kyiv without reaching a lasting peace deal. The alliance is also grappling with the question of how much responsibility Europe should take on Ukraine’s security in the long term.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/tariff-troubles-overshadow-us-olive-branch-at-nato/a-72132897