NATO summit sees tensions over U.S. tariffs, defense spending, and military commitments.

Foreign ministers from NATO member states convened in Brussels on Thursday, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump sparked anger among allies by announcing a new sweeping round of tariffs. The move has drawn criticism, particularly from European nations and Canada.

Tensions between the United States and its NATO allies have been mounting since Trump took office, with his administration frequently raising concerns about what it considers unfair trade balances. His pledge to impose tariffs has further strained transatlantic relations.

In addition to trade disputes, concerns have grown over the potential withdrawal of U.S. forces from Europe, particularly following comments from high-ranking officials in the Trump administration. Speculation about America’s long-term military commitment to the region has added to the unease.

Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sought to ease these concerns, emphasizing that there would be no abrupt reduction in the U.S. military presence in Europe. "There are no plans for them to all of a sudden draw down their presence here in Europe," Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister, stated. He added that the U.S. has multiple global commitments, noting that Washington must "attend to more theaters than one."

When asked about the potential reaction to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s participation in the summit, Rutte avoided making a direct comment. "The focus here of all 32 NATO members is on how to defend NATO territory against the Russians, our long-term threat, which will persist even after—hopefully—a deal is reached on Ukraine," Rutte told journalists.

Regarding concerns about the reliability of the U.S. as a NATO ally, Rutte reaffirmed his confidence. "Absolutely, they are," he said when asked whether he still considered the U.S. a trustworthy partner within the alliance.

Meanwhile, Rubio urged NATO members to increase their defense spending, advocating for a target of 5% of GDP. "We do want to leave here with an understanding that we are on a pathway, a realistic pathway, to every single one of the members committed and fulfilling a promise to reach up to 5% of spending. That includes the U.S.," he stated.

In an effort to demonstrate Washington's ongoing commitment to the alliance, Rubio underscored that the U.S. remains as engaged as ever. "The U.S. is as active as it has ever been," he affirmed.