Europe’s leaders are scrambling to safeguard the transatlantic alliance as they navigate a volatile mix of Russian aggression, shifting US policy and growing domestic scepticism. While high‑profile meetings in The Hague bring together figures such as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Nato Secretary‑General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron with Donald Trump, the ultimate test lies far beyond the conference tables. A decisive push to win the American public’s confidence—particularly in swing‑state strongholds like Des Moines, Iowa—has become the new frontier for European diplomacy.
Beyond the Summit: The Need for Public Diplomacy
The presence of Mark Rutte before a public audience in Des Moines is more than a symbolic gesture; it marks a strategic pivot toward grassroots engagement. This is the hometown of Matthew Whitaker, Trump’s ambassador to Nato, and the visit deliberately brings the debate over Nato’s future to a midwestern audience that often operates outside Washington’s elite foreign‑policy circles. European governments can no longer rely on presidential diplomacy alone; they must also make a compelling case directly to the citizens who ultimately shape policy. By travelling to the heartland, Rutte is echoing a broader European effort to bypass traditional diplomatic channels and speak directly to voters who may be sceptical of foreign commitments.
A Snapshot of Transatlantic Sentiment: Polls and Public Opinion
Public opinion data offers both encouragement and caution for the alliance’s proponents. Surveys conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, in partnership with Ipsos, reveal that 68 % of Americans support maintaining or increasing US involvement in Nato. This robust backing underscores a lingering belief in the strategic value of the partnership. However, confidence in Europe’s willingness to defend the United States has eroded; only 47 % of respondents now trust that European allies would come to America’s aid if attacked, down from 62 % in 2025. The erosion of trust coincides with growing economic disparities that populists have been quick to exploit. In the Commonwealth Fund’s 2023 survey, 46 % of US adults with lower or average incomes reported skipping or delaying needed healthcare because of cost, compared with just 16 % of similar earners in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands. These divergent experiences have created fertile ground for narratives that portray European defence spending as a form of free‑riding, a myth that European leaders must actively dismantle.
Support for Ukraine remains a bright spot, with 58 % of Americans endorsing additional arms and military supplies, and the same proportion backing economic assistance. While these figures demonstrate a lingering commitment to democratic solidarity, they also highlight a nuanced public that distinguishes between different security priorities. European strategists must therefore craft messages that resonate with voters’ everyday concerns—jobs, energy costs, technological resilience and, most importantly, the prospect of peace for their families.
European Defence Spending: Closing the Gap with the US
The perception of European free‑riding is being challenged by tangible increases in defence investment. In 2025, EU member states collectively raised their defence budgets by 20 % compared with the previous year, a shift that reflects a renewed strategic ambition. All 32 Nato members met or exceeded the 2 % of GDP expenditure target for that year, a milestone that underscores a shared commitment to collective security. Moreover, allies have pledged to channel 5 % of GDP annually into defence and related security initiatives by 2035, signalling a long‑term trajectory toward greater self‑reliance. These figures, however, remain poorly understood in the United States, where many still view Europe as a passive beneficiary of American military might. European governments therefore need to amplify their narrative, highlighting not only the scale of spending but also the tangible outcomes—such as enhanced interoperability, joint training exercises and shared intelligence platforms—that benefit both sides of the Atlantic.
Economic and Strategic Benefits of Deeper Defence Ties
Investing in defence is not merely a security imperative; it also generates substantial economic opportunities for American companies. Joint procurement programmes, co‑development projects and technology‑sharing agreements create jobs, stimulate growth and reinforce transatlantic supply chains. For instance, collaborative efforts in hypersonic research and cyber‑defence have already produced spin‑off benefits for both civilian and military sectors. By showcasing these partnerships, European leaders can reframe the debate from one of burden‑shifting to one of mutual advantage. In addition, deeper defence ties bolster energy security, as joint initiatives reduce reliance on volatile fossil‑fuel markets and promote investment in renewable technologies that underpin both European and American economies. The strategic calculus is clear: a robust, financially responsible Europe strengthens the overall resilience of the Western alliance.
Why it Matters
The future of Nato will be decided not only in boardrooms and presidential suites but also in the living rooms of American voters. As Europe seeks to secure its security through increased defence spending and greater strategic autonomy, it must simultaneously convince the US public that the alliance remains indispensable to their own safety, prosperity and democratic values. Mark Rutte’s outreach to Des Moines exemplifies the kind of proactive public diplomacy that can bridge the gap between elite policymaking and grassroots sentiment. By addressing economic anxieties, dispelling myths about free‑riding and highlighting the concrete benefits of transatlantic cooperation, European leaders can foster a renewed sense of shared purpose that endures beyond any single administration. In an era where populism thrives on perceived neglect, the ability to win hearts and minds on both sides of the Atlantic will determine whether Nato remains a cornerstone of global stability or fades into history.