U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Brussels for NATO talks on Thursday as European allies expressed deepening concerns about the Trump administration’s foreign policy direction. The discussions come amid unease over President Donald Trump’s warming rhetoric toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, new global tariffs, and signals of a potential U.S. military pivot away from Europe.
The visit follows last month’s warning from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that U.S. security priorities are shifting toward Asia and domestic border security, leaving NATO members anxious about possible troop reductions in Europe. Tensions escalated further this week when Trump imposed sweeping 10% tariffs on all imports, including from allied nations.
Rubio, accompanied by U.S. NATO ambassador Matthew Whitaker, faces delicate negotiations as allies seek clarity on America’s commitment to the alliance. The talks occur against a backdrop of Trump’s repeated criticisms of NATO members and his administration’s apparent willingness to reconsider traditional alliances.
European officials view these developments as particularly concerning given Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine and Putin’s longstanding opposition to NATO expansion. The Brussels meetings may prove pivotal in determining whether the U.S. maintains its traditional leadership role in the alliance or pursues a more isolationist path.
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