US President Donald Trump expressed sharp frustration during a closed-door meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, criticizing European reluctance to join the US and Israel in military action against Iran, according to European officials cited by Politico.
The talks, held behind closed doors, followed weeks of Trump’s public criticism of NATO allies over their refusal to participate in escalating tensions with Tehran. European sources described the atmosphere as tense, with one official saying the meeting “went sh*t” and that Trump had delivered a “tirade of insults” toward Rutte. Another informed source claimed Trump hinted at possible reprisals against European nations but offered no specifics.
Trump reportedly pressed NATO to take immediate, concrete steps to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil passes. The strait has been effectively closed since the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28. Earlier reports from Bloomberg indicated Trump had given European allies an ultimatum to commit to securing the route “within days.”
A White House official denied those claims, stating that Trump “has zero expectations for NATO at this point and did not ask them for anything,” while noting that European nations benefit more from the strait’s security than the US does.
Rutte, speaking to CNN afterward, described the exchange as a “very frank, very open” discussion between “two good friends.” He acknowledged Trump’s “clear disappointment” with Europe but avoided confirming whether the US president had raised the possibility of withdrawing from NATO.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that “none of these people, including our own, very disappointing, NATO, understood anything unless they have pressure placed upon them.”
In a related development, Germany and France said they would be willing to assist the US in restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—but only after hostilities cease and a peace agreement is reached between the warring parties.
The episode underscores growing friction between Washington and its European allies over Middle East policy, raising questions about the future cohesion of the NATO alliance amid divergent strategic priorities.
