NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte began a scheduled three-day visit to Washington on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, amid renewed threats from US President Donald Trump that he is considering withdrawing the United States from the alliance, according to reports. Rutte is expected to meet with Trump at the White House alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The meeting comes following a reported two-week ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in tensions with Tehran, though the exact terms remain unclear.
A key issue during the visit is reportedly frustration in Washington over NATO allies' refusal to join the United States and Israel in their military campaign against Iran or allow US aircraft involved in the conflict to use their airspace. Several NATO countries' decisions have reportedly angered Trump, prompting him to criticize European governments and question the value of continued US membership in the alliance. Trump has long expressed concern over what he sees as America's disproportionate contribution to European security.
Rutte, who previously served as Dutch prime minister from 2010 to 2023, is also scheduled to hold talks with members of Congress and deliver a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Thursday.