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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Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake has struck Tibet in southwestern China, killing 16 people and injuring 65, while forcing more than 12,000 residents to relocate as rescue teams respond to widespread aftershocks.
German police have detained a suspect after a major fire broke out at the historic Kehlsteinhaus, known as the “Eagle’s Nest”, a mountain retreat once used by senior Nazi officials, including Adolf Hitler.
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday, leaving one person dead and more than 500 injured as strong winds and torrential rain brought down trees, cut power and disrupted transport across the island.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday dismissed accusations that Canada planned to interfere in next month’s U.S. midterm elections, saying he was disappointed by comments from the American ambassador.
Kenya has recorded a second death from Ebola, the health ministry said late on Friday, as the outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread across Africa.
Gunmen opened fire on mourners at a church funeral in southern Jordan on Friday, killing at least seven people in a rare attack on the country’s Christian minority that has raised fresh questions about security in the country.
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