The Monocle Daily Trump lashes out at Nato as Rutte reports defence spend increase
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Mar 26, 2026 Vincent McIverney, Monocle radio commentator on UK politics, and Marta Lorimer, Cardiff politics lecturer specializing in populism, discuss Trump's criticism of NATO and Mark Rutte's response. They debate Europe’s shifting stance on migration and far-right influence. They also cover AI humanoids at the White House and the growing London Marathon.
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Trump Treats NATO As A Transactional Club
- Donald Trump views NATO as transactional and resents fixed institutional rules, treating contributions like an entrance fee rather than collective burden-sharing.
- Marta Lorimer and Vincent McIverney argue this attitude risks alienating veterans and undermining allied unity as leaders scramble to placate Trump to keep US support for Ukraine.
EU Migration Deal Feels Like A Far‑Right Win
- The EU's new returns proposals mark a de facto policy victory for the far right by hardening deportation, detention and external return hubs while mainstream parties negotiated with them.
- Marta Lorimer highlights that far-right amendments were adopted, informal WhatsApp coordination occurred, and the old cordon sanitaire has effectively collapsed.
Mainstream Toughness Strengthens The Far Right
- Copying far-right migration rhetoric helps strengthen those parties rather than neutralise them, because mainstream parties lose distinctiveness while voters prefer the 'original' message.
- Lorimer notes policies like work visas in Italy show governments need migrants despite securitised rhetoric.