United States President Donald Trump has cast uncertainty over NATO’s mutual defence obligations, questioning whether the alliance would come to America’s aid if attacked.
His remarks, made on Thursday at the White House, run counter to the alliance’s history, as NATO invoked its Article 5 defence guarantee for the first and only time following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the US.
Trump also signalled that the US might reconsider its commitments to the military bloc should other member nations fail to meet their defence spending targets. His comments came a day after his nominee for
NATO ambassador, Matt Whitaker, assured American lawmakers that the administration’s stance on NATO was “ironclad.”
Trump’s scepticism towards the alliance is in line with his long-standing criticism of NATO, which he has repeatedly accused of failing to pay its fair share of collective defence costs.
However, his fresh remarks have fuelled concern among Western allies, particularly in the wake of his overtures towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The comments also come as Washington pressures Kyiv to enter negotiations for a peace deal with Moscow, which invaded Ukraine three years ago.
Uncertain Future for NATO’s Mutual Defence Clause
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had already stirred tensions last month when he stated that the US would not take part in any NATO-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
He further declared that Washington would not extend military assistance to any nation participating in such a force should it come under Russian attack.
In his latest comments, Trump explicitly cast doubt over NATO’s collective defence commitment, questioning whether allies would stand by America in times of crisis.
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“You know the biggest problem I have with NATO? I really, I mean, I know the guys very well. They’re friends of mine. But if the United States was in trouble, and we called them, we said, ‘We got a problem, France. We got a problem, couple of others I won’t mention. Do you think they’re going to come and protect us?’ They’re supposed to. I’m not so sure,” Trump remarked.
NATO’s collective defence mechanism, enshrined in Article 5 of its founding treaty, stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
The clause was invoked after the 9/11 attacks, prompting NATO’s largest-ever military operation in Afghanistan, in which France and other allies actively participated.
Trump Links NATO Defence to Spending Compliance
Trump also hinted at a potential shift in US policy, suggesting that Washington might withhold military assistance from NATO members failing to meet the alliance’s defence spending threshold.
When asked whether he was formally making it US policy to refuse defence to nations that fail to meet military expenditure targets, Trump replied, “Well, I think it’s common sense, right? If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them. No, I’m not going to defend them.”
Trump has persistently argued that the US bears a disproportionate burden in NATO, often citing the bloc’s requirement that member states allocate at least two per cent of their GDP to defence.
While several members have met this target in recent years, the US remains NATO’s largest financial contributor and military power.
NATO’s Expansion and Trump’s Criticism
Formed in the aftermath of World War II to counter Soviet expansionism, NATO has grown from its original 12-member composition to a 32-nation alliance.
While its primary objective remains the collective defence of member states, Trump has frequently criticised its financial arrangements, alleging that Washington shoulders an unfair share of the costs.
“I view NATO as potentially good, but you’ve got to get, you’ve got to get some good thinking in NATO. It’s very unfair, what’s been happening,” Trump said. “Until I came along, we were paying close to 100 per cent of NATO. So think of it, we’re paying 100 per cent of their military, and they’re screwing us on trade.”
On Wednesday, Whitaker, testifying before the US Senate, attempted to allay concerns by reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the alliance, stating, “It will be ironclad.”
His statement followed NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s remarks last year, in which he noted that a record 23 out of 32 NATO members had met the alliance’s defence spending target.
While Stoltenberg credited Trump for pressuring member states into increasing military spending, the US President’s latest remarks have raised fresh uncertainties about the future of the alliance and America’s role within it.
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