Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister and a seasoned diplomat, drew significant attention during the recent NATO summit held in The Hague, Netherlands. His comments about former U.S. President Donald Trump made waves among journalists and political pundits, right and left. Rutte referred to Trump affectionately as “Daddy,” a term that raised eyebrows and prompted questions about the underlying political dynamics.
At a press conference following the meeting, Rutte specifically lauded Trump’s contributions towards pushing NATO member states to raise their defense budgets. He stated, “Would you ever think that this would be the result of this summit if [Trump] would not have been re-elected president? Do you really think that the seven or eight countries who said ‘yes, somewhere in the 2030s we might meet the 2%’ would have got there without Trump? … So doesn’t he deserve some praise?”
Rutte’s comments underscored Trump’s undeniable impact on NATO’s defense spending policy. Member countries are still in the process of preparing themselves in order to meet the alliance’s ambitious targets. The Dutch Prime Minister congratulated Trump, calling him a “man of strength … and peace.” He attributed NATO’s successful initiatives to Trump’s firm intervention in worldwide disputes, especially in the Iran-Israel arena.
Even after being attacked for his use of language, Rutte was unapologetic. Sky News’ Security and Defense Editor Deborah Haynes pressed him on whether his language about Trump was fitting. In defense, he wrote back that it was “a matter of taste.” She also highlighted her decades-long personal relationship with Trump, addressing him directly and referring to him as “a good friend.” There was his follow-up announcement that he had just sent a long, effusive text to the former president.
“Yes, daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop,” Rutte added, further illustrating his perspective on Trump’s leadership style. This framing of their relationship as a “bromance” attracted attention at the summit, as it underscored the alliance’s dynamics and the ongoing influence of American leadership on European security policies.
Opposition MP Sjoerd Sjoerdsma pressed Prime Minister Mark Rutte on questions about the new 5% spending pledge adopted by NATO members. Critics wondered whether some of this increase—3.5%, to be precise—might serve the purpose of “purely keeping Trump happy.” Rutte responded to these charges by reiterating that the United States has been asking for fairer burden sharing from its allies for years. “There is this U.S. request, ‘please equalize, because it’s not fair that we shoulder much more than the others are doing,’” he said.
As NATO Secretary General, Rutte’s moderation would complement the alliance’s commitment to inclusive decision-making and cooperation among allies. His depth of experience as the former Dutch Prime Minister makes him unique within the organization. This experience gives him the ability to deftly maneuver through vigorous diplomatic waters.