The United States is seriously considering withdrawing from NATO. Donald Trump gives voice to his anger and “disgust” against the Atlantic Alliance and threatens a sensational farewell that would redesign the military cooperation that has guaranteed the security of the Old Continent for 80 years. Irritated by what he perceives as a lack of support for the war in Iran, the tycoon with the Telegraph defined NATO as a “paper tiger”: “And President Putin knows it too”, he added, in what appears to be a clear dig with reference to Ukraine, the country attacked by Moscow which Europe alone would have difficulty defending. While the Financial Times reports how the occupant of the White House went so far as to threaten to stop weapons in Kiev if the European allies did not join the «coalition of the willing» to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Yet another attack from Washington comes at the end of weeks of criticism towards the alliance: since the war in Iran began, the tycoon has criticized his European partners almost daily, especially targeting the United Kingdom, with which the United States is linked by a “special relationship” that is increasingly in crisis. Despite having become somewhat accustomed to Trump’s tones, declarations and provocations, the commander-in-chief’s words still represent yet another cold shower for the European allies.
NATO is the “most effective” military alliance in the world, replied British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, defending it vigorously. «In terms of security and defense, we are obviously committed to maintaining a strong transatlantic bond, which remains crucial to our security. Together we are stronger, and the Alliance is fundamental in this”, echoed a spokesperson for the EU Commission.
«It’s important to stay calm. There is no NATO without the United States, but there is no strong United States without allies either. Without us”, observed Polish Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz for his part, with Warsaw at the forefront in Europe in facing the Russian threat. At NATO headquarters in Brussels, “calm” is preached and it is remembered – informed sources reported – that Trump is no stranger to “provocations” and, in a certain sense, the alliance has developed a sort of tolerance towards him in recent months. For Mark Rutte, the threatened American farewell is a new challenge to be faced with extreme caution. He has so far managed to free himself and get into Trump’s good graces, despite causing – according to rumors – to “irritate” some European capitals with his support for the war in Iran. It is not the first time that the commander-in-chief has used denigrating tones and threats of withdrawal from NATO. He had done so during his first mandate and has resumed doing so since returning to the White House. In the end, however, he has always backed down, confirming himself as ‘Taco Trump’ (Trump always chickens out), the nickname he earned in his second term for his reputation for always backing down defined by the New York Times – and the recent vehemence in the midst of the war in Iran makes us suspect that this time the president is serious. After attacking the allies by calling them “cowards” and inviting them to take courage and go to the Strait of Hormuz themselves “to get the oil for themselves”, the president has further raised his tone to the Americans. He intends to clearly speak to the Americans about his “disgust” for NATO during his speech to the nation, the first since the beginning of the war in Iran.
Against the alliance, Trump can count on his secretary of state. The US will have to “reexamine” its relationship with NATO once the war against Tehran is over, Marco Rubio has thundered. In 2024, when he was a senator, Rubio sponsored a project that later became law to prohibit the American president from unilaterally proceeding with the withdrawal of NATO. Now, in his new role, the secretary of state is raising doubts about the alliance. According to the malicious, he is doing this to avoid irritating the president, certain that Trump does not have the numbers – he needs two thirds of the Senate or an act of Congress – to say goodbye to the alliance. Despite having a majority, the Republican Party is a supporter of NATO and is convinced that Congress should have a central role in foreign affairs. A unilateral attempt by Trump to dump NATO, therefore, could also be a red line not to be crossed for conservatives.