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When President Donald Trump went to The Hague for the annual NATO summit, he went with one primary purpose in mind. The US president’s main goal was to persuade (as only Trump can) America’s partners to increase their defense spending to 5% of Gross Domestic Product, up from the 2% agreed upon in 2014. He was successful. In previous NATO summits, the goal had been to cajole the members to meet the 2014 guideline. The atmosphere at this year’s meeting, however, seemed far more cordial than those that came before.
At the end of the 2024 Summit, there was no resolution on how to divide the burden of defense investment; rather, all that was accomplished appeared to be platitudes about unity and the amount of weaponry that should be handed to Ukraine. This year was different. There was little doubt that Donald Trump was coming to town to put some pressure on them. In typical Trumpian style, the president dished out an attention-getting statement. During the flight on Air Force One, he told reporters that America’s commitment to Article 5 of the NATO charter “depends on your definition.” He said, “There’s numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right? But I’m committed to being their friend.”
What? The US president is equivocating about the foundational NATO belief that an attack against one is an attack against all? As Trump is wont to do, after the “depends on your definition” comment, he backtracked a little. At a June 25 press conference, the president explained: “I stand with it [Article 5]. That’s why I’m here.”
In a wrap-up, the participants posted The Hague Summit Declaration, in which President Trump got what he wanted. The statement read:
“Allies agree that this 5% commitment will comprise two essential categories of defence investment. Allies will allocate at least 3.5% of GDP annually based on the agreed definition of NATO defence expenditure by 2035 to resource core defence requirements, and to meet the NATO Capability Targets. Allies agree to submit annual plans showing a credible, incremental path to reach this goal.”
Reaching an agreement to increase defense spending was an accomplishment, but the undercurrent of collegiality was also noticeable. Furthermore, an odd atmosphere in the relationship between Trump and other NATO leaders was almost counterintuitive. The more that Donald Trump has indicated he wants the US to be less of a force in the alliance, the more cordial some members have become to his worldview and style.
Another dynamic at work in this year’s summit was Trump’s appearance at the NATO meeting following America’s execution of one of the most effective global reach demonstrations: Operation Midnight Hammer. Sending B-2 Spirit bombers on a 36-hour mission to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability carried significant weight at the summit. If the alliance had any doubts that the US president could deliver when needed, those doubts should be assuaged.
One of the more humorous moments during the summit came when President Trump and NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte were having a televised one-on-one conversation. The subject came up of Trump’s colorful turn of phrase regarding Israel and Iran’s failure to observe their recently agreed ceasefire. As Liberty Nation News Editor-in-Chief Mark Angelides reported, “‘ We have two countries that have been fighting for so hard and so long they don’t know what the f*** they are doing,’ Trump said as he prepared to leave for the upcoming NATO conference.” Mentioning the blunt use of the English language, Rutte smiled and, in a consoling tone, told President Trump, “Daddy has to use strong language” to admonish nations acting more like children than mature countries.
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However, there may be more truth in the general secretary’s quip than meets the eye. Donald Trump, with his no-nonsense leadership style, might be more of a father figure on the world stage than most would acknowledge. He made it very clear that when he says the US is going to do something, the US does it. Coming away from the NATO summit, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly summed up the Trump effect, explaining to NBC News: “This President has done more than anyone to advance global stability, and now, Europe and the entire world can benefit from peace through strength.”
The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliate.