NATO chief to visit Washington next week as Trump threatens exit from alliance

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will travel to Washington next week for a visit that has been planned for some time. This trip follows President Donald Trump's recent criticism of European allies regarding their positions on the Iran conflict. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed, "I can verify that the Secretary General will be in DC next week for a long-planned visit." A representative from the White House also acknowledged the upcoming visit, but details about the trip were not immediately shared. Trump expressed he might withdraw the U.S. from NATO because European nations have not sent ships to help clear the Strait of Hormuz. During remarks made on Wednesday at a White House Easter lunch with allies, Trump labeled France and the United Kingdom, along with other allies, as a "paper tiger." NATO, which was established in 1949 to protect against potential Soviet attacks, includes European countries, the U.S., and Canada and has been a key part of Western defense ever since. Trump remarked, "We’ve had some very bad allies in NATO. Hopefully, we’re never going to need them. I don’t think we will need them."