New US tariffs do not violate NATO treaties: alliance chief

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on Friday that the sweeping new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump do not breach the alliance’s treaties, including the provision encouraging economic collaboration among member nations.

His comments came during a meeting with NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, where concerns were raised about the potential impact of the tariffs on Article 2 of the NATO treaty.

The tariff dispute centers on the recent measures imposed by Trump, which have rattled global markets and sparked fears of a broader trade conflict. When questioned about whether these tariffs violated the treaty’s commitment to eliminate conflicts in international economic policies, Rutte replied, “I don’t think this is in breach of Article Two. No, I don’t think so. We have seen in the past many examples of differences of view, of fights over tariffs. This has happened before, without that being in violation of Article 2.”

Rutte also emphasized that the issue of trade disputes falls outside his core mandate. “My role is deeply focusing on the defense of NATO territory, and that is why I'm not commenting on other things than directly related to the defense of NATO,” he added.

In addition to addressing the tariff issue, Rutte underscored that NATO’s primary long-term concern remains the threat posed by Russia. “We realize that there is one long-term and enduring, unpleasantly enduring threat, and that is Russia, and that is what our focus has to be about,” he said.

During the same meeting, NATO allies heard a “clear message” from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirming the United States’ commitment to the alliance. Rubio’s remarks also called on Europe and Canada to take on more responsibility for shared security and to continue increasing defense spending.

The discussion highlights the complex interplay between economic policies and defense commitments within NATO, as member states navigate the challenges posed by divergent national interests while maintaining a united front against common security threats.

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