In January 2020, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, discussing the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's presidency on European defense spending. Rutte praised Trump, asserting that his administration pressured NATO allies to allocate at least 2% of their GDP toward defense, a measure many European countries would not have pursued without such pressure. He insisted that Trump's influence had prompted necessary changes in European policies regarding security and defense spending, thus facilitating a more robust approach to collective security. Rutte highlighted that European countries, including Spain, Italy, and France, have now committed to these spending targets, enabling the alliance to reaffirm its focus on real defense issues in a post-Cold War context. The NATO Secretary-General emphasized the continued commitment of the United States to European defense, with over 80,000 American troops stationed in Europe, which serves as a significant defense guarantee. However, he also noted a shift in U.S. foreign policy focus towards Asia and the necessity for European nations to independently enhance their defense capabilities over time. In his remarks, Rutte downplayed the controversy surrounding Trump's ambitions regarding Greenland, suggesting that the issue should not distract allies from more significant threats, including the ongoing situation with Ukraine. He stated that focusing on Ukraine should be the continental priority, identifying it as crucial for both European and American security. Furthermore, Rutte defended his support for Trump against criticism from some European leaders who viewed Trump's approach as detrimental to NATO's unity. He faced backlash from politicians like French MEP Nathalie Loiseau, who criticized him for being overly deferential to the U.S. president. Nevertheless, Rutte continued to assert that increased defense spending was a necessary and positive development for Europe in the contemporary security landscape, linking it back to the influence of Trump's presidency.