German Defense Minister Pistorius on Thursday rebuffed U.S. President Trump’s remarks that European NATO allies should be unconditionally loyal to Washington, saying NATO is not "blind obedience." He said NATO decisions are reached by free consultati

2026-07-02

German Defense Minister Pistorius on Thursday rebuffed U.S. President Trump’s remarks that European NATO allies should be unconditionally loyal to Washington, saying NATO is not "blind obedience." He said NATO decisions are reached by free consultation and consensus among all members, not unilaterally by one country. After Chancellor Merz clashed with Trump over U.S. strategy in a war with Iran, Pistorius said he expects the U.S. will not raise further criticism of Germany at next week’s NATO summit in Turkey.