NATO is absent when needed! Trump reignites crisis among allies, and rifts in the West support a gold price rebound.
2026-04-09 10:54:36
Following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump again strongly criticized NATO on social media, stating, "NATO wasn't there when we needed them, and they won't be there when we need them again. Remember Greenland, that poorly managed ice sheet."
This statement continues Trump's long-standing criticism of NATO allies for "free-riding" and reiterates his previous expressions of interest in Greenland.
Following the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran on Wednesday (April 8), spot gold surged by over 3%, reaching a daily high of $4,856.93 per ounce. The ceasefire news also pushed oil prices below $100 per barrel, providing short-term support for gold prices. However, on the first day of the ceasefire, Israel launched airstrikes against Lebanon, and the Strait of Hormuz was blocked again, causing a sharp reversal in gold prices, erasing most of the day's gains. But supported by structural tensions among Western allies, spot gold fluctuated upwards during the Asian session on Thursday, currently trading around $4,730 per ounce, with a daily increase of approximately 0.25%.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday (April 8), staying for more than 90 minutes. After the meeting, Rutte described the discussion as "very frank and open," and said the two were "good friends," adding that he "greatly admires Trump's leadership."
Despite Rutte's attempt to describe the talks in a positive tone, Trump quickly responded with criticism on social media afterward, revealing that significant differences remain between the two sides on NATO defense sharing and ally responsibilities .
In an interview after the meeting, Rutte acknowledged that Trump was "disappointed that many NATO allies did not support the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran as much as he had hoped," and that this disappointment was "obvious."
When asked if Trump had indicated a possible attempt to withdraw from NATO, Rutte did not answer directly, only stating that Trump "listened very carefully to my arguments." Regarding whether some NATO countries "were tested but failed," Rutte responded, "Some of them certainly were. But the vast majority of European countries have honored their previous commitments regarding such situations."
Rutte emphasized that most of Europe supports Trump's ability to eliminate Iran's "export of chaos." He noted that despite some disappointment, most European countries have been positive about their commitments.
This meeting and Trump's subsequent criticisms once again highlight the Trump administration's long-standing dissatisfaction with NATO. Trump has repeatedly emphasized that allies should increase defense spending and implied that NATO has failed to provide sufficient support at critical moments.
Analysts believe that against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Iran and increased volatility in global energy markets, Trump's pressure on NATO could further exacerbate tensions within the transatlantic alliance. Future NATO defense-sharing negotiations and allied coordination mechanisms will face even greater challenges.
Trump's latest remarks on NATO, against the backdrop of the US-Iran conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, have added new "stability risks to the Western alliance" to the market. This will have a cumulative effect with the existing risks of conflict in the Middle East, jointly driving up the safe-haven demand for gold . If oil prices return to above $100 per barrel, gold is expected to break through its current trading range and test new highs.
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
Following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte, Trump quickly took to social media to again criticize NATO, calling it "not there when needed" and reiterating the Greenland issue. Rutte acknowledged Trump's "clear disappointment" with insufficient support from some allies in the war against Iran, but emphasized that most European countries supported Trump's actions to combat Iran's "export of chaos." Disagreements between the two sides on NATO defense responsibilities and allied cooperation remain prominent, further highlighting the structural tensions within the transatlantic alliance .
At 10:51 Beijing time, spot gold was trading at $4,724.86 per ounce.
This statement continues Trump's long-standing criticism of NATO allies for "free-riding" and reiterates his previous expressions of interest in Greenland.
Following the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran on Wednesday (April 8), spot gold surged by over 3%, reaching a daily high of $4,856.93 per ounce. The ceasefire news also pushed oil prices below $100 per barrel, providing short-term support for gold prices. However, on the first day of the ceasefire, Israel launched airstrikes against Lebanon, and the Strait of Hormuz was blocked again, causing a sharp reversal in gold prices, erasing most of the day's gains. But supported by structural tensions among Western allies, spot gold fluctuated upwards during the Asian session on Thursday, currently trading around $4,730 per ounce, with a daily increase of approximately 0.25%.
Trump meets with Rutte at the White House
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday (April 8), staying for more than 90 minutes. After the meeting, Rutte described the discussion as "very frank and open," and said the two were "good friends," adding that he "greatly admires Trump's leadership."
Despite Rutte's attempt to describe the talks in a positive tone, Trump quickly responded with criticism on social media afterward, revealing that significant differences remain between the two sides on NATO defense sharing and ally responsibilities .
Rutte's response and statement
In an interview after the meeting, Rutte acknowledged that Trump was "disappointed that many NATO allies did not support the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran as much as he had hoped," and that this disappointment was "obvious."
When asked if Trump had indicated a possible attempt to withdraw from NATO, Rutte did not answer directly, only stating that Trump "listened very carefully to my arguments." Regarding whether some NATO countries "were tested but failed," Rutte responded, "Some of them certainly were. But the vast majority of European countries have honored their previous commitments regarding such situations."
Rutte emphasized that most of Europe supports Trump's ability to eliminate Iran's "export of chaos." He noted that despite some disappointment, most European countries have been positive about their commitments.
Impact on NATO's future
This meeting and Trump's subsequent criticisms once again highlight the Trump administration's long-standing dissatisfaction with NATO. Trump has repeatedly emphasized that allies should increase defense spending and implied that NATO has failed to provide sufficient support at critical moments.
Analysts believe that against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Iran and increased volatility in global energy markets, Trump's pressure on NATO could further exacerbate tensions within the transatlantic alliance. Future NATO defense-sharing negotiations and allied coordination mechanisms will face even greater challenges.
Impact on the gold market
Trump's latest remarks on NATO, against the backdrop of the US-Iran conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, have added new "stability risks to the Western alliance" to the market. This will have a cumulative effect with the existing risks of conflict in the Middle East, jointly driving up the safe-haven demand for gold . If oil prices return to above $100 per barrel, gold is expected to break through its current trading range and test new highs.
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
Editor's Summary
Following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte, Trump quickly took to social media to again criticize NATO, calling it "not there when needed" and reiterating the Greenland issue. Rutte acknowledged Trump's "clear disappointment" with insufficient support from some allies in the war against Iran, but emphasized that most European countries supported Trump's actions to combat Iran's "export of chaos." Disagreements between the two sides on NATO defense responsibilities and allied cooperation remain prominent, further highlighting the structural tensions within the transatlantic alliance .
At 10:51 Beijing time, spot gold was trading at $4,724.86 per ounce.
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