Trump Questions NATO Commitment, Urges Allies to Pay More

[JeremyVickers]

Donald Trump, when he was president of the United States, questioned US obligations toward NATO allies, twice stopping calling for the US to support whenever an ally is attacked.

“If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. “No, I don’t have to defend them. It’s common sense, right?”

Trump noted that he has been pushing this for years and that he brought it up with NATO allies when he served as president from 2017 to 2021. What he said he accomplished was to pressure alliance members to up their defense spending. But he maintained that existing contributions remain inadequate. “Even now, it’s not enough,” he said. “They should be paying more.”

An Atlantic Bridge: Why They “Need” Each Other​

Mutual defense is central to the NATO alliance, which is reflected in Article 5 of the NATO treaty. This clause — known as Article 5 — has been in place since the alliance was formed in 1949 and declares that an attack on one member is an attack on all. NATO was established to meet the threat of the Soviet Union, but its purpose has changed over the years.

Because his comments would resonate among NATO members, especially in Europe and Asia, where leaders are jittery about the prospect of the U.S. scaling back its security commitments. Those fears are deepened by Trump’s previous confrontations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his apparent openness to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

European Leaders React​

European leaders responded to Trump’s comments by reiterating their desire to bolster their defense capabilities. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and allies reassured them of NATO’s stability on Thursday. “I understand some may have questions about NATO’s future,” Rutte said. “So let me be clear — the Transatlantic relationship is the bedrock of our alliance.

He noted Trump’s concern over defense spending and conceded that European nations must step up. “President Trump has made clear the commitment of the U.S. to NATO and his commitment personally to NATO,” Rutte said. “He has at the same time certainly made it clear that we in Europe have to do more with regard to defense spending.”

Trump’s Doubts About NATO’s Trustworthiness​

In a conversation in the Oval Office, Trump called NATO members “friends” but cast doubt on whether some countries, such as France, would come to the United States’s defense in a time of need. “You think they’re gonna come and protect us? They’re supposed to,” he said. “I’m not so sure.”

Although he recognized NATO as a potentially useful alliance, he claimed that the financial imbalances among NATO countries detract from its effectiveness. He went on to criticize NATO members for what he considers unfair trade practices. “They are screwing us on trade,” he said.

Trump has recently reiterated American commitments to NATO’s collective defense clause, even as he has voiced skepticism about the alliance in general. Just last week, at a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump reaffirmed America’s obligations under the alliance.

Washington Presses Iran to Revive Nuclear Talks​

Also outside NATO, Trump covered concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, stating that he had sent a letter encouraging Tehran to enter negotiations. If Iran does not comply, he cautioned, the U.S. might use military force.

“I’ve sent them not a threatening letter but a letter saying I hope you’re going to negotiate because I’ll tell you if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them,” Trump said in an interview on Fox Business. “You cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon.”

But Tehran has not received any letter of that sort, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York said in a response on Friday.

Iran Nuclear Deal​

Iran’s nuclear program has been a flashpoint between Tehran and Western countries for decades. The 2015 landmark nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was meant to keep Iran from building nuclear weapons. The deal imposed limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

But in 2018, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement, calling it flawed and failing to prevent Iran’s long-term nuclear ambitions. After Washington withdrew, Tehran initially adhered to the pact but then began to scale back its commitments in retaliation for U.S. sanctions.

As president, Trump sought to isolate Iran with a “maximum pressure” strategy, with steep sanctions on the country. His administration argued these actions were essential to preventing Tehran from building nuclear weapons, but critics said they heightened instability across the region.

Foreign Policy in a Changing World​

Trump’s more recent comments about NATO and Iran reflect his broader approach to foreign policy — prioritizing financial contributions from allies and taking a hard line against adversaries. If he ever returns to the White House, his policies could have a lasting impact on global security dynamics.

For NATO, Trump’s stance augurs questions about the future of the alliance, and whether European nations will increase their defense expenditures in line with U.S. demands. At the same time, his warning to Iran indicates that tensions surrounding its nuclear program could mount if diplomatic endeavors falter.

Trump’s statements are closely monitored, as they have implications for international relations, security and alliances, and the place of the United States in the world.