Tillerson to skip Nato meeting

Brussels

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's decision to miss his first meeting with Nato foreign ministers has unsettled European allies who fear the no-show reopens questions about President Donald Trump's commitment to the alliance.

Reuters reported on Monday that Mr Tillerson will stay at home to attend Mr Trump's expected April 6-7 talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida, skipping the April 5-6 Nato talks.

US officials also said Mr Tillerson will visit Russia later in April.

"No matter how you spin it, this is unfortunate symbolism," said a senior European diplomat, adding that it undid the work of Mr Trump's defence minister and vice-president, who visited Nato headquarters in Brussels in February to provide reassurances after Mr Trump's criticism of the all…