Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said the US and Nato were faced with a “marriage crisis” as frustrations mount on both sides of the Atlantic, urging Washington to stand with its allies or risk America’s fall.

Francken, speaking at a think tank event in Washington on Tuesday, likened the strained transatlantic relationship, which has held for close to 80 years, to a “crisis”, saying “it’s very difficult”.

“I’m convinced that we’re having a marriage crisis … There’s a lot of frustration on both sides of the Atlantic. A lot of miscomprehension of one another’s position and sometimes even anger,” he told the discussion organised by the Atlantic Council.

“That’s dangerous because geopolitical times are very unstable [and] difficult … And it’s better that we’re united.”

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the transatlantic alliance since returning to the White House, accusing Nato allies of freeloading off American military spending. He has called Nato a “paper tiger” and threatened to withdraw from the security alliance.

In the most recent flashpoint, Trump called the group “cowards” after Nato’s reluctance to join US efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.