Trump stirs controversy as he casts doubt over US commitment to NATO mutual defence guarantee

Published on 25/06/2025 - 6:08 GMT+2

US President Donald Trump introduced a grade of uncertainty regarding nan United States' adherence to nan communal defence commitments specified successful nan NATO pact arsenic he made his measurement to nan acme — comments that could revive long-standing interest from European friends astir his committedness to nan subject alliance.

“Depends connected your definition,” Trump told reporters arsenic he was headed to The Hague, wherever this year's acme is being held. “There’s galore definitions of Article 5. You cognize that, right? But I’m committed to being their friends.”

Asked later aboard Air Force One to clarify, Trump said he is “committed to redeeming lives” and “committed to life and safety” but did not grow further.

Trump and different NATO leaders arrived astatine nan Royal Palace successful nan Hague, Netherlands connected Tuesday evening for a royal dinner.

King Willem-Alexander of nan Netherlands, Queen Maxima and Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia are hosting a meal for nan confederation leaders, who are successful municipality for nan two-day summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among nan guests arriving.

Trump was expected to enactment astatine a luxurious edifice during his sojourn but a Dutch authorities accusation work spokeswoman says nan US president will beryllium sleeping astatine nan 17th-century palace that is location to Willem-Alexander, his Argentine-born woman Queen Maxima and their 3 daughters.

King Willem-Alexander of nan Netherlands gave a reside to nan NATO confederation leaders during a meal astatine nan royal palace successful nan Hague connected Tuesday. The Dutch monarch besides extended a typical invited for Trump specifically.

“Mr. President (Trump), it intends truthful overmuch to america to invited you successful our location tonight. We cherish nan bonds of relationship that will ever merge our nations." said King Willem-Alexander.

The Dutch King said that NATO will invited much nations to nan confederation successful nan future. He besides commended nan confederation for committing to spending much money connected defence.

“It's rightly based on that we request to make capable investments successful our information and that location must beryllium a equilibrium successful nan financial contributions made by nan members of nan Alliance. There tin beryllium nary solidarity unless everyone shoulders their ain responsibility," said nan Dutch King.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte besides commended Trump for pushing for an summation successful nan alliance’s defence spending.

"Today, I americium pleased to denote that NATO has already added an further $1 trillion (€861 billion) successful defence spending complete nan past decade, Rutte said connected Tuesday. "Mr President, beloved Donald, that is acknowledgment to you pushing us."

Some residents of nan Dutch city, location to this year’s NATO leaders’ summit, expressed their dissatisfaction pinch Trump.

Posters were hung from balconies reference “save nan world, impeach Trump”, and “peace”.

Meanwhile, a abstracted pro-NATO protestation took place. A fewer twelve young protesters from Lithuania, Ukraine, nan Netherlands and different countries gathered successful The Hague wherever they called for accrued defence spending and support for Ukraine.

The youth-led objection was joined by defence ministers of Lithuania and nan Netherlands, some of whom indicated that NATO leaders are expected to perpetrate to higher defence expenditure successful nan coming years.

The existent NATO defence targets are 2% of GDP, but are expected to jump to 5% aft months of unit from Trump and threats to propulsion nan US from nan defence alliance.

Trump has besides suggested that immoderate personnel federation that fails to meet his projected 5% targets will not use from US protection nether Article 5 of NATO’s charter.