WASHINGTON (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, pressing the case for a military alliance that the volatile U.S. leader has sharply criticized as the Pentagon reviews the size of the U.S. military footprint in Europe.
READ MORE: Hegseth appears out of step in criticisms of NATO allies
Trump has slammed NATO, arguing the U.S. carries more than its fair share of military spending. But his grievances have been louder since the Iran war as he fumed over the fact that some member countries ignored his call to help him restart oil trade through the shuttered Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has renewed his threats to leave the 77-year-old alliance, raising the stakes before the NATO leaders' summit in Turkey next month. But Rutte, who has become known as a Trump whisperer for his ability to charm the president, was looking to appease him Wednesday.
Meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, Rutte pushed back gently, saying, "I know there have been isolated cases about which you are really disappointed, but generally speaking, your European allies have been there with you."
