NATO chief calls Trump ally clashes a 'family argument,' says he is '100% convinced' of alliance backing

WASHINGTON, DC: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte compared President Donald Trump’s clashes with allies to a “family” disagreement while insisting that the US president remains fully committed to the alliance.

Trump’s criticism of NATO partners has raised questions about Washington’s role in the alliance, but Rutte pushed back on concerns, saying he was “100% convinced” that Trump continues to support NATO.

Mark Rutte compares Trump’s NATO disputes to a family argument

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, July 8, at the NATO summit in Ankara, Rutte addressed the contrast between the alliance’s message of unity and Trump’s public criticism of some allies.

Trump had “voiced disappointment that NATO did not join the US war with Iran, though the alliance was not consulted. Several countries, including the UK, ultimately allowed US forces to use their bases to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites,” BBC reported.

The president also repeated his view that the US should take control of Greenland and called Spain “a terrible partner.” At the same time, Trump stressed there had been “unification” at the leaders’ meeting and “tremendous love in that room.”

Rutte compared the tensions to disagreements among relatives.

“It’s a bit like in a family, you have families where you never quarrel and then it bursts out completely,” he said.

Rutte then made his position on Trump clear, saying, “Trump is completely committed to Nato.”

NATO chief says Trump understands alliance’s value

Pressed on why he was so certain about Trump’s commitment, Rutte doubled down despite the president’s previous comments about the possibility of leaving NATO and his criticism that the US had received a poor return on the “trillions” of dollars it invested in the alliance.

“I am 100% convinced [Trump is committed to Nato],” Rutte said.

He argued that Trump understands the importance of US access to Europe, pointing to the role NATO allies played in supporting US military operations.

“I know that the United States, this president included, particularly this president, also understands that - take [US Operation] Epic Fury [against Iran], it could not have taken place at this extent without using Europe as a power projection platform,” Rutte said.

Rutte said “five thousand planes” had taken off from European bases under bilateral agreements during the six weeks between the end of February and mid-April, when a ceasefire came into force.

He also highlighted the importance of NATO’s Nordic members and their proximity to Russia’s nuclear-armed submarine bases on the Kola Peninsula, arguing that the alliance helps protect the US from potential threats.

“You don’t want the Russian nuclear submarines to end up at the shores of the United States,” he said. “We prevent that as Nato collectively."

Rutte urges allies to boost defense production

Beyond Trump’s remarks, the Ankara summit focused on turning commitments for higher defense spending into concrete action.

Rutte said Canadians and Europeans had spent an additional quarter of a trillion dollars over two years, calling the increase “staggering.”

He said NATO members must continue increasing defense production and maintain support for Ukraine.

Asked whether NATO would be prepared if Russia attempted a land grab, including in Estonia, Rutte gave another strong assurance.

“Absolutely we’ll be ready,” he said. “Now we’re ready, in 2030 we are ready, at any moment.”

He added that NATO remained a defensive alliance but warned any adversary considering an attack, “We will defend ourselves,” Rutte said.