Trump Throws NATO Leaders Off Balance as Summit Starts

Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.

Donald Trump’s arrival ensured that today’s NATO summit would be a nervy affair as the US president flew to The Hague fueling fresh doubts about the superpower’s commitment to the alliance. NATO leaders met to agree on raising defense spending to 5% of GDP, largely under American pressure. Trump joined other heads of state and government for a dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands last night, hours after he disclosed a fawning private message from NATO chief Mark Rutte. They’re on edge after Trump once again cast doubt on the alliance’s cornerstone provision that members defend each other from attack. “Article 5 is about when an attack on one is an attack on all. It's very, very clear,’’ EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas reiterated yesterday.