At a recent NATO summit in The Hague, the atmosphere was filled with an unusual mix of admiration and diplomacy directed towards U.S. President Donald Trump. Over a day and a half, leaders from NATO and European countries expressed their gratitude towards Trump, which seemed to resonate with him. This display of affection appeared to help ease tensions, at least for the moment, as Trump returned home seemingly supportive of the idea of collective defense among NATO members.
Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister and NATO Secretary-General, was among those who praised Trump, referring to him in a playful manner as "Daddy." This comment was made during a press briefing where they discussed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran. Trump likened the situation to two children fighting, suggesting that sometimes a firm approach is needed to resolve conflicts. Rutte added that "Daddy" sometimes has to use strong language to bring about peace.
When asked about being called "Daddy," Trump responded with humor, saying that Rutte likes him and jokingly threatened to hit back if that affection changed. He acknowledged the affection but also hinted at the serious undertones of their discussions about defense.
The summit aimed to address NATO’s collective defense commitments and the need for member nations to increase their defense spending. Currently, NATO allies are expected to boost their budgets to 3.5% of their GDP, a significant increase from the previous 2%. Additionally, there is a push for an extra 1.5% to strengthen national resilience. This total of 5% was first proposed by Trump during his presidency, as he often criticized NATO members for not contributing enough to their own defense.
Despite the positive vibes at the summit, there are concerns about the pace of these changes. While Trump seemed optimistic about quick budget increases, many allies, including Spain, have expressed hesitance about meeting these new targets in a timely manner. Some leaders fear that a slow response could leave NATO vulnerable, especially with rising tensions involving Russia.
Overall, while the summit showcased a more harmonious relationship between Trump and NATO allies, the future of this cooperation depends on their commitment to increase defense spending and strengthen their collective security.