Tariff troubles overshadow US olive branch at NATO | DW News |

Bombshell tariffs overshadow "goodwill" message of Marco Rubio

Rubio's task of putting fellow NATO members at ease was made even harder on Wednesday when Trump announced tariffs that many fear could kick off global trade war. A 10%-levy now applies to virtually all goods imported into the US. Goods from the European Union, which includes 23 of the 31 NATO member states, face tariffs of 20 percent.

Arriving at the talks, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged that transatlantic unity was "being tested by the decisions taken and announced yesterday by President Trump."

Outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that economic security was "part of all of security overall."

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Nonetheless, ministers from various countries stressed they still saw the US as an ally.
NATO grapples with big questions

In general, European NATO allies are preparing for US disengagement as it pivots to Asia; the Trump administration is gravely concerned about China.

One scenario preoccupying Europe is that the US could draw down some of the roughly 100,000 troops it has stationed in Europe at present, a number that was boosted by 20,000 under former US President Joe Biden after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Asked about the possibility, Rutte said that the issue was not new and that there were "no plans for them to all of a sudden draw down their presence here in Europe."