NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Friday as the military alliance prepared for the real estate mogul’s return to office. NATO said in a statement released on Saturday that the two met in Palm Beach and discussed “the range of global security issues facing the alliance.” The encounter appears to be Rutte’s first with Trump since the former president was re-elected earlier this month.

It comes amid growing concern among European countries over Trump’s impact on the alliance, following his past comments doubting NATO’s usefulness and threatening not to defend members that do not pay enough into the organization. Rutte, who officially became NATO’s secretary-general in October, also met with U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz, Trump’s nominee for national security advisor. “A strong NATO that restores deterrence and peace requires all member nations to do their part commensurate with their economic strength!” Waltz commented on X after the encounter. Rutte, the Dutch prime minister for over 14 years, was thought to have a better relationship with Trump than many other European officials during his previous presidency. Home Latest news Commissioner hearings COP29: War in Ukraine US Elections Newsletters Podcasts Poll of Polls. Topics covered include policy news, events, and politics. NATO’s Rutte discusses ‘global security’ with Trump in Florida. The conference comes as NATO members are concerned that the United States’ incoming president could destabilize the defence alliance. Share On July 18, 2019, President Donald Trump welcomed the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, at the White House. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. November 24, 2024 11:10 AM CET By Victor Jack. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Friday as the military alliance prepared for the real estate mogul’s return to office. In a statement released Saturday, NATO stated the two met in