The secretary of state's trip comes amid a dramatic shift in relations between the United States and Europe after close cooperation during the Biden era.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NATO members that President Trump had “made clear his support” for the alliance and reiterated calls for increased military spending.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Brussels on Thursday for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers amid high concerns about the Trump administration's approach to Europe, including the war in Ukraine, relations with Russia and President Trump's escalating trade war with the continent.
Mr. Rubio's visit to the alliance's headquarters comes as relations between the United States and Europe have abruptly shifted from the close cooperation of the Biden era to mistrust and hostility under Mr. Trump.
At the same time, NATO officials may welcome the opportunity to confer with Mr. Rubio, who is widely seen as the most pro-alliance member of Mr. Trump's national security team.
As a senator in 2023 representing Florida, Mr. Rubio co-sponsored a bill that would require any president to get the Senate’s advice and consent before leaving the organization. Former aides say Mr. Trump has privately considered taking that step, which would break up the 32-nation military alliance formed to counter Russia.
Foreign officials who have dealt with Mr. Rubio since he became Mr. Trump’s top diplomat describe him as downplaying some of Mr. Trump’s boldest ideas and translating them into more realistic policy approaches, though they also question whether he truly speaks for a president with whom he does not have a close personal relationship.
In that vein, Mr. Rubio arrived in Brussels on Thursday with some assurances about Mr. Trump's views on the alliance.
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