Trump blasts NATO after closed-door Rutte meeting

## Summary
Advertisement World Trump blasts NATO after closed-door Rutte meeting US President Donald Trump met with NATO chief Mark Rutte to address the alliance's support over the Iran conflict and potential troop withdrawals. US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 21, 2026. (File photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) 09 Apr 2026 05:46AM (Updated: 09 Apr 2026 09:28AM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump bashed NATO and appeared to renew his threats over Greenland after a closed-door meeting with alliance chief Mark Rutte, during which he was expected to discuss possibly leaving the pivotal security bloc . Trump's outrage at NATO allies over their failure to join in his war against Iran had prompted fears he would seek to pull the United States out of the nearly eight-decade-old alliance.

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Trump blasts NATO after closed-door Rutte meeting
US President Donald Trump met with NATO chief Mark Rutte to address the alliance's support over the Iran conflict and potential troop withdrawals.
US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 21, 2026. (File photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
09 Apr 2026 05:46AM
(Updated: 09 Apr 2026 09:28AM)
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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump bashed NATO and appeared to renew his threats over Greenland after a closed-door meeting with alliance chief Mark Rutte, during which he was expected to
discuss possibly leaving the pivotal security bloc
.
Trump's outrage at NATO allies over their failure to join in his war against Iran had prompted fears he would seek to pull the United States out of the nearly eight-decade-old alliance.
However, in his first remarks after the meeting, he simply reiterated his frustration.
"NATO WASN'T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON'T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN," he posted on Truth Social.
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"REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!" he added, without any further explanation.
Before Trump launched his war on Iran, his threat to seize the vast Arctic island from NATO ally Denmark was a key issue roiling the alliance.
Rutte - the former Dutch premier, dubbed the "Trump whisperer" for his skill in flattering the mercurial US leader - entered the West Wing through a side gate and their meeting was held behind closed doors.
"It was a very frank, it was a very open discussion," Rutte later told CNN in a televised interview.
Asked multiple times if Trump had said whether he would leave the alliance, Rutte did not answer directly.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters ahead of the meeting that a possible withdrawal is "something the president has discussed, and I think it's something the president will be discussing in a couple of hours with Secretary General Rutte".
The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, reported that Trump was alternatively looking at punishing some NATO members he believed were unhelpful during the conflict by moving US troops out of their countries.
The meeting came one day after the United States and Iran
agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire
.
The US president has
branded NATO a "paper tiger"
for refusing to lead efforts to open the strategic Strait of Hormuz and for limiting US forces from using bases on their territories.
Trump has lashed out at several leaders personally, lambasting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as
"no Winston Churchill"
and ridiculing Britain's aircraft carriers as "toys".
The plan reported by the Wall Street Journal would fall short of Trump's oft-hinted threats to pull the United States out of NATO entirely - a move for which he would need the approval of Congress.
Related:
Vance to lead US delegation to Iran talks on Saturday
Iran hits Gulf states after agreeing to 'fragile' truce with US
What we know about the two-week truce between the US and Iran
"DADDY"
NATO's secretary general, however, boasts a record of pulling Trump back onto his side.
Ahead of the White House visit, Rutte met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to talk about Iran, Russia's war against Ukraine and NATO responsibilities.
"The two leaders discussed Operation Epic Fury, ongoing US-led efforts to bring a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war, and increasing coordination and burden shifting with NATO Allies," said State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Rutte is also expected to meet with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth during his time in Washington.
NATO has been buffeted by crisis after crisis since Trump returned to power last year - most acutely by his threat to seize Greenland.
In recent months, he has also pulled the rug out from under Ukraine in its war against Russia and threatened to not protect allies unless they spend more on defence.
Russia and China have been watching with glee as Trump rubbishes the alliance.
Rutte has been central to allied efforts to flatter and mollify the US leader, whom he called "daddy" at a summit last year.
On Iran, he has sought to thread the needle by calling US efforts to degrade Tehran's military capability something to "applaud".
Source: AFP/fs/dy
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Trump's outrage at NATO allies over their failure to join in his war against Iran had prompted fears he would seek to pull the United States out of the nearly eight-decade-old alliance.
- CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less "REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!" he added, without any further explanation.
- Before Trump launched his war on Iran, his threat to seize the vast Arctic island from NATO ally Denmark was a key issue roiling the alliance.

### Implications
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters ahead of the meeting that a possible withdrawal is "something the president has discussed, and I think it's something the president will be discussing in a couple of hours with Secretary General Rutte".
- The US president has branded NATO a "paper tiger" for refusing to lead efforts to open the strategic Strait of Hormuz and for limiting US forces from using bases on their territories.
- Related: Vance to lead US delegation to Iran talks on Saturday Iran hits Gulf states after agreeing to 'fragile' truce with US What we know about the two-week truce between the US and Iran "DADDY" NATO's secretary general, however, boasts a record of pulling Trump back onto his side.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers trump, nato, rutte topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 929.