‘Ridiculous’ for US to maintain current Nato support, Trump warns ahead of alliance summit
US President Donald Trump has criticized the current structure of NATO, labeling the alliance's support as 'ridiculous' and 'not reciprocal' ahead of an upcoming summit in Ankara. The tension stems from European allies' reluctance to support US military operations in Iran and ongoing disputes over defense spending commitments.
Why it matters
The public rift between the US and its NATO allies threatens the stability of long-standing transatlantic security agreements and global geopolitical alliances.
Donald Trump at a Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in June 2025. He insists he wants Europe to take the lead role in its defence and has moved to scale back US commitments. Donald Trump at a Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in June 2025. He insists he wants Europe to take the lead role in its defence and has moved to scale back US commitments. Donald Trump ‘Ridiculous’ for US to maintain current Nato support, Trump warns ahead of alliance summit President says Washington’s relationship with Nato is ‘not reciprocal’ and ‘they were not there for us’ in Iran war
The Guardian typically frames Trump's foreign policy actions with a critical lens, focusing on the disruption of established international norms.
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