During a two-day stop in Turkey, Trump threatened to cut trade ties with NATO
member Spain over defense spending and revived a dispute with Denmark on
Greenland. NATO secretary general Rutte lauded Trump as 'a great leader' and
'NATO’s biggest asset', credited him with prompting an extra $1.2 trillion in
Canadian and European defense spending across two terms and called it the 'Trump
trillion'. When Trump criticized previous U.S. presidents for failing to raise
allied defence contributions, Rutte interjected: 'You are the first to do it.
This is your victory.' Trump replied: 'That's why I like him.' Rutte, who took
office as NATO secretary general in late 2024, has repeatedly praised Trump.
Chatham House international security director Marion Messmer said the summit
suggested no one can manage Trump long-term and Europe should focus on
strengthening its own security. Other NATO leaders are increasingly irritated by
Rutte's obsequious tone; he has so far failed to convert his personal rapport
with Trump into concrete benefits for the alliance, while Trump remains openly
dissatisfied with NATO.
