Trump in The Hague as NATO Alliance ‘Shaped to His Liking’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump arrived at the NATO summit in The Hague after pushing the alliance toward higher defense spending, while also casting doubt on U.S. commitment to Article 5. He emphasized a new pledge for members to reach 5% of GDP on defense and defended strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, drawing controversial comparisons to Hiroshima. Democrats like Sen. Jeanne Shaheen expressed concern over Trump’s mixed signals about U.S. commitments.
NATO Summit Highlights
- Article 5 Ambiguity: Trump stated U.S. commitment to NATO’s mutual defense clause “depends on your definition,” signaling possible reinterpretation.
- 5% Defense Target: He touted success in pushing NATO members toward a 5% GDP defense spending pledge, a long-standing priority.
- Iran Deal Defense: Trump defended U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, comparing them to World War II bombings and claiming they ended the crisis.
- Intel Leak Fallout: He dismissed early intelligence leaks that contradicted his claims of total obliteration and ordered an investigation.
- Ukraine Solidarity: During his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump confirmed he would meet Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later Wednesday.
- Alliance Unease: Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said allies were “understandable” in their concerns and emphasized the need for reassurance on Article 5 and troop commitments.
Trump in The Hague as NATO Alliance ‘Shaped to His Liking’
Deep Look
The Hague — June 25, 2025
Shifting NATO Dynamics
President Trump arrived at the NATO summit demonstrating that the alliance has been significantly reshaped to reflect his priorities, especially regarding military funding. However, his comments on Article 5 introduced tension, reviving doubts among European allies about the steadfastness of U.S. defense commitments.
“I’ve been asking them to go up to 5% for a number of years,” Trump said Wednesday morning as he met with Mark Rutte, the alliance’s secretary-general. “I think that’s going to be very big news.”
Redefining Mutual Defense
On the flight to The Hague, Trump told reporters that whether the U.S. would trigger Article 5 “depends on your definition,” suggesting a reinterpretation of NATO’s collective defense clause. At the summit, he promised a clearer stance but emphasized friendship over rigid guarantees.
“There’s numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right?” Trump said. “But I’m committed to being their friends.” He signaled that he would give a more precise definition of what Article 5 means to him once he is at the summit.
Budget Breakthrough
During his meeting with Mark Rutte, Trump announced that most NATO countries—excluding Spain—are supporting a 5% GDP defense spending pledge, a move seen as a major victory for his long-standing demands for allies to bear more of the burden.
Iran Strike Controversy
Trump defended U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, comparing the effect to Hiroshima and insinuating such action ended the conflict. Early intelligence suggested only months-long setbacks, but Trump and senior officials dismissed the report as flawed, with the administration reportedly investigating the source of the leak.
“That hit ended the war,” Trump said. Drawing comparisons to the atomic bombings from the U.S. during World War II, he added: “I don’t want to use an example of Hiroshima. I don’t want to use an example of Nagasaki. But that was essentially the same thing. That ended that war.”
Ukraine on the Agenda
Trump confirmed plans to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, underscoring that despite controversies, U.S. support for Ukraine remains part of the summit’s agenda.
Allied Anxiety
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, attending the summit, relayed that allies expressed “understandable questions” about the U.S. commitment to Article 5. She assured them that the U.S. stands behind NATO’s core promises and is keeping troops deployed on Eastern Europe’s front lines.
What’s at Stake
The summit brings NATO to a critical redefinition point: a historic increase in defense spending but heightened uncertainty over U.S. defense guarantees. Trump’s approach reflects a test of whether NATO can maintain unity under evolving U.S. leadership and strategic recalibration.
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