Trump, Rutte hold high-stakes talks

Washington: President Donald Trump met Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the future of the military alliance following threats of a US withdrawal. The high-stakes, closed-doors meet focused on Trump’s frustration with allies over their lack of involvement in the Iran war and the security of the Strait.

Trump recently labelled the 77-year-old alliance a “paper tiger” and expressed anger that European nations have not done enough to secure oil shipping lanes.

Rutte, visiting Washington until Sunday, held talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. While a 2023 law prevents a president from withdrawing from Nato without Congress nod, Rutte sought to highlight European efforts to boost defence bud­g­et to ease Trump’s public criticisms, AP and Reuters reported.

An official said the Nato chief intended to address cooperation in the defence industry and the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.