Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 9: Donald Trump has raised the possibility of the United States stepping back from NATO during a meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte, highlighting growing divisions over the alliance’s stance on the Iran conflict.

According to the White House, Trump has been actively considering a withdrawal from NATO, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the President believes the alliance has underperformed. She told reporters that NATO had been “tested” and failed to meet expectations, adding that the option of leaving the bloc remains under discussion.

The meeting comes amid increasing frustration in Washington over what Trump views as insufficient support from European allies during recent US military actions involving Iran.

Following the talks, Rutte acknowledged the tensions but maintained that most NATO members had provided meaningful assistance. In an interview with CNN, he described the discussions as candid and constructive, noting that several countries contributed through logistics, basing arrangements, and overflight permissions.

However, he conceded that not all allies met expectations, indicating that support across the alliance had been uneven.

Beyond the Iran issue, the leaders also discussed coordination on securing vital shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In parallel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate talks with Rutte, focusing on enhancing coordination and encouraging greater burden-sharing among NATO allies, according to the State Department.

Meanwhile, senior Republican lawmakers, including Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, underscored the strategic importance of NATO. In a joint statement, they emphasized that recent US military operations had significantly benefited from the support of allied nations and reiterated that a strong NATO serves American interests.

Trump’s remarks have sparked renewed concern across Europe regarding the future of US commitment to the alliance. The White House later confirmed that the meeting concluded without any formal policy announcement.

Established in 1949, NATO remains a cornerstone of Western collective defence, with its mutual defence clause obligating member states to support one another in times of conflict.