WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of the United States stepping back from NATO, as he met with Secretary General Mark Rutte, amidst widened differences over the alliance’s response to the Iran conflict.
The White House said Trump has been considering withdrawing from NATO, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quoting the President as saying the alliance had fallen short.
“They were tested and they failed, ” she told reporters at a White House news conference.
Leavitt added that leaving NATO remains under discussion. “It’s something the President has discussed, and I think it’s something the President will be discussing, ” she said.
The meeting came amid Trump’s growing frustration with European allies for not fully backing US military actions against Iran.
Rutte acknowledged the tensions but said most allies had supported Washington. “He is clearly disappointed… but the large majority of European nations has been helpful, ” he told CNN after the meeting.