This June, NATO will gather in The Hague – a city that prides itself on being the international capital of peace and justice. But the arrival of Donald Trump at this summit undermines everything that reputation stands for. Trump does not represent peace. He does not represent justice. And he certainly does not represent democracy.

The NATO summit is already set to be a meeting dominated by geopolitical power plays, military deals, and rising defense budgets. But with Trump’s presence, it takes on a more dangerous dimension. Trump is not just another politician. He embodies a dangerous form of authoritarian nationalism, racist divisive rhetoric, and a glorification of violence. His past statements about NATO countries needing to “pay up or face the consequences” speak volumes. This is not an ally – it’s a threat, even to Europe.

A man of war, not of peace

The summit is framed as a gathering to promote stability and security. But Trump’s influence pushes NATO further into a direction of militarisation, arms races, and confrontation. His doctrine pressures European countries to increase military spending to 3, 4, or even 5 percent of GDP. For the Netherlands, this means tens of billions less for education, healthcare, and social welfare – and more for weapons manufacturers, most of them based in the United States. The biggest beneficiaries of Trump’s NATO vision are not European citizens, but the shareholders of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

No platform for hate and division

Trump brings more than just geopolitical instability. He is a global symbol of authoritarian politics: undermining the rule of law, attacking minorities, spreading disinformation, and glorifying violence. In the run-up to the U.S. elections, his presence in The Hague would be a political statement – one that normalises the far-right at the highest international level.

DiEM25 in the Netherlands rejects this direction. We believe peace cannot come from intimidation and militarisation, but from cooperation, democracy, and solidarity. And we believe that The Hague – as a city of peace – must not be used as a stage for those who oppose these values.

Another future is possible

Trump’s invitation to The Hague is not a neutral diplomatic act – it is a political choice. And resistance to it is a political necessity. DiEM25 calls for broad public protest against this NATO summit and the normalisation of Trump’s politics of hate.

We say there is a different path for Europe. Not rising military budgets, but investment in climate justice, education, public healthcare, and global solidarity. Not a NATO bending to Trump’s demands, but a Europe choosing its own future – one of peace, justice, and democracy.

Trump is not welcome in The Hague. Let’s make that clear.

Join us on June 22 for a protest for peace and justice, 14:00 Koekamp The Hague

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