Europe Needs to Stop Appeasing Trump
The Atlantic criticizes NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for his diplomatic approach toward Donald Trump, arguing that his attempts at flattery are ineffective and damaging to European interests. The author contends that U.S. foreign policy regarding Iran has negatively impacted European energy security and geopolitical stability.
Why it matters
This piece highlights growing tensions and strategic disagreements between European leadership and U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.
Omar Havana / Getty June 19, 2026, 1:16 PM ET Share Save Can Mark Rutte please just stop talking? The NATO secretary general, who infantilized an entire continent last year by referring to Donald Trump as “Daddy,” continued his campaign of flattery at the most recent meeting of the G7: “The U.S. action to prevent the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran and degrade its ballistic missile capability improves security for us all,” he told reporters.
The article uses highly critical, emotive language such as 'infantilized,' 'toadying,' and 'self-debasing' to describe diplomatic efforts.
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