US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Trump administration's new special representative to NATO are seeking to reassure worried allies by reaffirming the US commitment to the alliance.
On Thursday, Mr. Rubio denounced “hysteria and exaggeration” in the media about President Donald Trump’s intentions, despite persistent signals from Washington that NATO in its current form, which has existed for 75 years, may be losing its relevance.
Mr Rubio and the newly appointed US ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, are in Brussels for a meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers, where many hope Mr Rubio will provide clarification on US plans for European security.
“The United States is more active in NATO than ever,” Mr. Rubio told reporters as he greeted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before the meeting.
“And some of this hysteria and exaggeration that I see in the world and some domestic media in the US about NATO is unfounded,” he added.
“President Trump has made it clear that he supports NATO,” Mr. Rubio said. “We intend to remain in NATO.”
“We want NATO to be stronger, we want NATO to be more visible, and the only way NATO can be stronger and more visible is if our partners, the nations that are part of this great alliance, have more capabilities,” he explained.
In a statement, Mr Whitaker said that “under President Trump’s leadership, NATO will be stronger and more effective than ever before, and I believe that a strong NATO can continue to be the foundation of peace and prosperity.”
But he added: “NATO's existence depends on each ally doing its fair share.”
– Concerns about US commitments to allies
Despite those words, European allies and Canada are deeply concerned by Mr Trump's willingness to cozy up to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who views NATO as a threat as the US seeks a cease-fire in Ukraine, and his rhetorical attacks and insults against allies such as Canada and Denmark.
Mr Trump's imposition of new global tariffs on allies on Wednesday added to the uncertainty and anxiety.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
