President Donald Trump is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, just days after ordering airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and declaring a ceasefire in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. This summit marks his first encounter with European allies since he returned to the White House in January.
Trump departed on Tuesday morning from Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey, where he offered a wave to onlookers as he boarded Air Force One. His trip follows a series of retaliatory strikes by Iran on a U.S. base in Qatar, for which Trump reported that 13 missiles were intercepted and one was misdirected. “I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” he shared on social media, noting that Iran had given the U.S. “early notice.”
Hours after the strikes, Trump announced an agreement for a ceasefire, stating, “This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!” However, upon leaving the White House, he expressed dissatisfaction with both Israel and Iran for reportedly violating the ceasefire during its initial hours.
Trump criticized Israel for launching heavy bombings shortly after the ceasefire was agreed upon. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a boat load of bombs the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” he said, adding, “I’m not happy with Israel.” He further mentioned, “OK, when I say now you have 12 hours, you don’t go out in the first hour and just drop everything you have on them.” Additionally, he conveyed his frustration over reported Iranian missile launches toward Israel, which Tehran denied.
The conflict’s ramifications will undoubtedly shape discussions at the summit, similar to the recent G7 meeting in Canada, which Trump departed early to address the crisis. The NATO trip is expected to be brief, with Trump arriving in the Netherlands on Tuesday night for a formal dinner at the Royal Palace, where he will be joined by the King and Queen.
On Wednesday, Trump will participate in the NATO summit, which includes a family photo with allied leaders and a series of bilateral meetings. While the exact schedule of these meetings remains unclear, Trump is likely to face inquiries regarding his military actions and their consequences. After the summit, he plans to return to the U.S.
A key focus of Trump’s agenda at the NATO summit will be advocating for an increase in defense spending among member nations from 2% to 5% of their gross domestic product. This commitment has been a longstanding issue for Trump, who has criticized allies for not contributing their fair share and has hinted at withholding U.S. defense support for those who do not comply.
Despite Trump’s confident assertions that the 5% goal will be sanctioned at the summit, some countries, like Spain, have already indicated their intent to remain at the 2.1% threshold under a different agreement.
Trump also aims to push for revitalizing NATO’s industrial capacities for critical minerals and defense. The backdrop to this summit includes the ongoing war in Ukraine, which Trump claims would not have happened during his administration. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been a prominent figure at NATO summits since the conflict began, is expected to have limited involvement this year.
This summit represents a return to NATO for Trump after he previously criticized the alliance during his first term. With leaders closely monitoring his America First policy and its implications for international relationships, this gathering promises to be pivotal amidst rising global tensions.