Washington – Former President Donald Trump has once again cast doubt on the United States’ unwavering commitment to NATO, suggesting that America may not come to the defense of member nations that fail to meet their financial obligations.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump reiterated his stance that NATO allies must contribute more to their own defense. “I’ve said it before—if they’re not going to pay, we’re not going to defend,” he stated. “I said this seven years ago, and because of that, they ended up paying hundreds of billions of dollars.”
NATO’s core principle, outlined in Article 5 of its charter, dictates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The only time this clause has been invoked was following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
When asked whether he would formally make this policy official, Trump defended his position, calling it “common sense.” He also expressed doubt about whether NATO allies would come to America’s defense if roles were reversed. “I know these leaders well, some of them are friends of mine. But if we had a problem, say we called France, do you really think they would rush to defend us? They’re supposed to, but I’m not so sure.”
Despite his criticism, Trump did not call for a US withdrawal from NATO, instead describing the alliance as “potentially good” but “deeply unfair.” His comments echoed similar statements made during his previous campaign, which drew sharp criticism from political opponents.
Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, took a different tone during his confirmation hearing this week, assuring lawmakers that the US remains “ironclad” in its commitment to the alliance.
Trump has long argued that the US shoulders an outsized share of NATO’s financial burden, urging allies to increase their defense spending. His latest remarks reignite concerns over America’s role in the alliance and the future of global security.