Never mind Trump – if Europe wants to save Nato, it must win over the American people | Leslie Vinjamuri
Mark Rutte has the right idea – go beyond Washington and make the case for the transatlantic alliance to the public. They may well have a willing ear At a moment when Europe is focused on persuading Donald Trump to remain committed to Nato, it needs to convince Americans, too. So the presence this evening of the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, in front of a public audience in Des Moines,…
Mark Rutte's approach to strengthening the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is to engage with the American public directly. In a time when Europe is striving to persuade Donald Trump to maintain Nato's commitment, it is crucial for the alliance to win over American citizens as well. The recent appearance of Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Des Moines, Iowa, during a public event, holds great significance.
This town is home to Matthew Whitaker, Trump's ambassador to Nato, and the visit brings the discussion of Nato's future to a midwestern audience in a red state that is distant from Washington's elite foreign policy circles.
Rutte's presence is long overdue, considering the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the uncertainty surrounding the United States' commitment to European security. These factors have forced European leaders to recognize their reliance on Washington. While some are advocating for the development of European capabilities to reduce dependence on the US, others believe that increased defense spending in Europe is essential to keep the US engaged.
However, European governments cannot solely rely on meetings with President Trump to safeguard the alliance's future. They must engage with the American people to build support for NATO.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
