NATO leaders have reportedly agreed to avoid discussing the ongoing World Cup with United States President Donald Trump during the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, amid efforts to maintain his support for the military alliance.
European officials said they had informally decided not to bring up the United States’ 4-1 defeat to Belgium, fearing the result could irritate Trump at a sensitive time for NATO.
The summit comes as European countries try to reassure Trump that they are increasing their defence spending, with members working towards a target of spending five per cent of their gross domestic product on defence by 2035.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever confirmed that he would avoid raising his country’s victory over the United States, joking that the defeat could be difficult for Trump to take.
The Belgian leader said football had been a major talking point among European officials in Ankara, but added that he would wait to see if Trump mentioned the match before responding.
Trump has not publicly commented on the United States team’s World Cup exit, although Belgian players mocked his famous dance celebration during the match.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also joined in World Cup banter at the summit, telling Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store that England only wins the tournament under Labour governments ahead of their quarter-final clash.
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