NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Friday to discuss pressing global security challenges, a spokeswoman confirmed on Saturday. Limited details about the meeting were shared publicly.
The leaders convened at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s estate in Palm Beach, on Friday, marking their first meeting since Trump’s election victory earlier this month. NATO released a photo on Saturday showing the two smiling as they shook hands.
“They discussed the range of global security issues facing the Alliance,” NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah stated. She added that Rutte also held discussions with Congressman Mike Waltz and members of Trump’s national security team.
Although specifics of their conversation remain under private, Rutte had previously indicated his intent to address the ‘increasing threat’ posed by Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea during his dialogue with the president-elect.
Rutte had particularly highlighted the collaboration between Russia and North Korea as a direct danger to both Europe and North America. “The North Koreans will soon be able to reach the United States with rockets, and this technology is coming from Russia,” Rutte said earlier this month.
Trump, known for his strong criticism of NATO during his first term in office, had urged member states to bolster their defense spending and even suggested a possible U.S. withdrawal, sparking concerns among allies.
Rutte, who served as the Dutch Prime Minister during Trump’s first term, has voiced optimism about working with Trump again, emphasizing their past cooperation and Trump’s pragmatic approach.
Earlier this month, when asked about his message for Trump in their first meeting, Rutte remarked: “You are and were right: We have to spend more on defense from our side of the alliance, 2 percent and even more.”
Donald Trump will officially assume office on January 20.