US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Trump administration’s new envoy to Nato are seeking to reassure Nato allies of Washington’s commitment to the Western military alliance.

Mr Rubio hit out today at media “hysteria and hyperbole” about President Donald Trump’s intentions, despite persistent signals from his administration that Nato as it has existed for 75 years may no longer be relevant.

Mr Rubio and newly confirmed US ambassador to Nato Matt Whitaker were in Brussels for a meeting of alliance foreign ministers.

“The US is as active in Nato as it has ever been,” Mr Rubio told reporters as he greeted Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte before the meeting began. 

“And some of this hysteria and hyperbole that I see in the global media and some domestic media in the US about Nato is unwarranted.

“President Trump’s made clear he supports Nato,” Mr Rubio said. “We’re going to remain in Nato.

“We want Nato to be stronger, we want Nato to be more visible and the only way Nato can get stronger, more visible, is if our partners, the nation states that comprise this important alliance, have more capability,” he said.

In a statement, Mr Whitaker said that “under President Trump’s leadership, Nato will be stronger and more effective than ever before and I believe that a robust Nato can continue to serve as a bedrock of peace and prosperity.”

But he added: “Nato’s vitality rests on every ally doing their fair share.”

Asked about concerns among European allies about a possible reduction in US troop numbers and the importance of getting clear messages from the Trump administration, Mr Rutte said: “These issues are not new. There are no plans for them to all of a sudden draw down their presence here in Europe.”