Trump Mulls Pulling U.S. From NATO as Alliance Leader Rutte Visits

NATO head Rutte to meet with Trump amid tensions over alliance's response to Iran crisis.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is expected to meet with President Donald Trump on Wednesday to try to smooth over the president's anger with the military alliance over its response to the Iran war. Trump had suggested the U.S. may consider leaving the trans-Atlantic alliance after NATO member countries ignored his call to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping waterway, as Iran effectively shut it and sent gas prices soaring.

Why it matters

Trump's criticism of NATO and hints about potentially withdrawing the U.S. from the alliance would mark a significant shift in American foreign policy and could have major geopolitical implications. The meeting with Rutte represents an attempt to de-escalate tensions and keep the U.S. committed to the decades-old security pact.

The details

Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with NATO members for not meeting defense spending targets and for what he sees as an unwillingness to take on more global security responsibilities. The president's anger boiled over during the Iran crisis, when he felt NATO countries did not heed his call to help reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively shut it down, causing a spike in global oil prices.

  • The meeting between Trump and Rutte is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • Trump first suggested the U.S. may leave NATO in the aftermath of the Iran crisis in late 2025.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has been critical of NATO and threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance.

Mark Rutte

The Secretary-General of NATO, who is meeting with Trump in an effort to smooth over tensions between the U.S. and the alliance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let our allies take advantage of us. The U.S. is paying a disproportionate share for their defense, and that's unacceptable.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

If the meeting between Trump and Rutte is unsuccessful in resolving the tensions, it could set the stage for a major showdown over the future of the NATO alliance.

The takeaway

Trump's continued criticism of NATO and hints about potentially withdrawing the U.S. from the alliance represent a significant shift in American foreign policy that could have far-reaching geopolitical consequences if realized. The upcoming meeting with NATO Secretary-General Rutte is a high-stakes attempt to de-escalate the situation and keep the U.S. committed to the decades-old security pact.