Trump criticizes NATO over IranON EDGE: Rocky ties with NATO members would likely continue after the president lashed out, but its head said that despite Trump’s criticisms, most Europeans had been helpfulReuters, WASHINGTON and BRUSSELSUS President Donald Trump on Wednesday vented his frustration with NATO during a private meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte as relations in the military alliance reached a crisis point over the Iran war. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte walks toward the White House in Washington on Wednesday. Without specifying the countries, Rutte said his own view was that “some” NATO countries had failed to live up to their commitments in the Iran operation, but that “the large majority of Europeans” had been helpful. The White House did not disclose details of the talks, but Trump wrote his thoughts on Truth Social after the meeting. Leavitt on Wednesday said that NATO countries had “turned their backs on the American people,” who fund their nations’ defense, and that Trump would have a “very frank and candid conversation” with the NATO chief.

Source: Taipei Times April 09, 2026 17:59 UTC