NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is sounding the alarm—and the timing couldn’t be more critical.
According to the Daily Mail, Rutte warned that a “massive” Chinese military buildup has significantly raised the risk of a full-scale invasion of Taiwan, with serious implications for NATO and global stability.
Speaking ahead of a two-day NATO summit in The Hague, Rutte suggested that if Beijing moved on Taiwan, it could coordinate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to provoke instability in Europe, forcing NATO to deal with two fronts.
Growing concerns over China’s ambitions
“We are all very worried… about the situation in Taiwan,” Rutte said. He warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping could call on Putin to distract the West, saying Russia may “keep us busy here” while Beijing targets Taiwan.
Rutte’s remarks come at a time when China’s aggressive posture toward Taiwan has escalated. The Chinese military recently conducted large-scale drills around the island, deploying dozens of warships and aircraft to simulate an encirclement.
The drills prompted Taiwan to scramble fighter jets and activate naval defenses. The rising tensions highlight Beijing’s unwillingness to back away from its claim over Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that the Chinese Communist Party views as a breakaway province.
Defense production shifts raise red flags
China’s military rise is not just about troops and war games. Rutte cited the country’s rapidly growing defense sector as another sign of its expanding power. “Only a couple of years ago… you would not find any Chinese companies among the top 10 defense firms. At this moment, you will find three to five,” he noted.
This shift in industrial capacity shows that China is preparing for long-term military readiness, not just short-term posturing. NATO officials say this development poses a direct challenge to the alliance’s defense planning and arms supply chains.
Rutte emphasized that this buildup “is having a huge impact” and warned that NATO cannot afford to ignore these developments. “We have to stand ready,” he said. “We cannot be naive.”
Taiwan’s strategy and U.S. support
Taiwan’s government, led by the Democratic Progressive Party, continues to deepen ties with the United States in an effort to deter Chinese aggression. The island views American political and military backing as essential to preserving its sovereignty.
Though many experts believe Beijing still prefers non-military pressure tactics, including economic influence and cyber operations, recent actions suggest that the risk of direct conflict is growing.
The U.S. has remained a key deterrent, with its military presence in the Pacific and repeated statements of support for Taiwan’s autonomy. Yet any Chinese move on Taiwan would test U.S. resolve—and by extension, NATO’s.
Trump pressures NATO to spend more
Rutte’s comments came just days after NATO agreed to raise its defense spending target to 5 percent of GDP, a move strongly pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump. He has long criticized alliance members for underfunding their militaries while relying on American protection.
While Trump reaffirmed his commitment to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause, he has also cast doubt on how far the U.S. would go for allies that fail to meet their obligations. His tough stance has created friction but also spurred greater investment in defense.
This year’s summit also marks NATO’s 75th anniversary, a milestone that comes amid rising tensions with Russia and growing unease over China’s global ambitions. Sweden’s recent membership further expands the alliance’s reach and security responsibilities.
