Trump questions NATO's reliability for US, touts his own deterrent effect

US President Donald Trump has publicly questioned the reliability of the NATO alliance to support Washington in a crisis, despite asserting his administration's commitment to its defense obligations. On his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Russia and China have "zero fear of NATO without the United States," and cast doubt on reciprocal aid, stating, "I doubt NATO would be there for us if we really needed them."

Claims of Leadership and Spending Pressure

Trump positioned himself as the key figure commanding global respect, stating that the two rival powers only "respect" the United States under his leadership. He took personal credit for elevating NATO members' defense spending targets, asserting he forced allies to pay "immediately" after America was "foolishly" covering expenses. This references the alliance's agreement, reached at a June summit in The Hague, to aim for 5% of GDP on defense by 2035.

White House Response and Broader Context

When asked about Trump's commitment to NATO's Article Five collective defense clause, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt pointed to his earlier statement that the US “will always be there for NATO, even if they are not there for us,” framing it as proof of continued alliance support. Trump also criticized Norway for not awarding him a Nobel Peace Prize, repeating claims of having ended multiple wars.

Implications for Global Security Architecture

These comments contribute to ongoing uncertainty about the future of transatlantic security ties and underscore a transactional view of alliances. This perspective contrasts sharply with the stance of other nations, including Türkiye, a key NATO member that emphasizes the alliance's importance while consistently advocating for a more equitable burden-sharing and strategic autonomy within the bloc.