Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his stance on NATO burden-sharing, stating on Thursday that the United States would not defend allies who fail to contribute sufficiently to their own defense.
“It’s common sense, right?” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them. No, I’m not going to defend them.”
Trump emphasized that this has been his position for years, including during his first term from 2017 to 2021. He claimed that his pressure on NATO allies had led to increased defense spending within the 75-year-old alliance but argued that it remained insufficient. “They should be paying more,” he added.
NATO’s Mutual Defense Clause and Global Reactions
At the core of NATO lies its mutual defense clause, which was established in 1949 to counter potential Soviet aggression. Trump’s remarks are likely to raise concerns in both Europe and Asia, where leaders already fear a potential reduction in U.S. security commitments. His past clashes with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his openness to engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin have added to those anxieties.
In response to these concerns, European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to increased defense spending and ongoing support for Ukraine. “I know some may have concerns about NATO’s future,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. “So let me be clear: the Transatlantic relationship and the Transatlantic partnership remain the bedrock of our Alliance. President Trump has made clear the commitment of the U.S. and his commitment personally to NATO, and it has also made clear the expectation that we in Europe must do more in terms of defense spending.”
Trump Questions NATO Commitments
While Trump acknowledged that NATO members were “friends”, he cast doubt on whether certain allies, particularly France, would come to America’s aid in a crisis.
“You think they’re going to come and protect us? They’re supposed to,” Trump said. “I’m not so sure.”
He stated that NATO could be “potentially good” if defense spending disparities were addressed but criticized the alliance on economic grounds. “They’re screwing us on trade,” he remarked.
Despite his criticism, Trump reaffirmed U.S. commitments to NATO’s mutual defense clause just last week in a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Macron Responds
At a European leaders’ meeting in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron responded to Trump’s comments by recalling Europe’s contributions to U.S.-led military operations.
“Not only the French, but the Europeans were there when we were called for Afghanistan. And by the way, they weren’t politely warned when (the U.S. left Afghanistan),” Macron said. “We are loyal and faithful allies.”
A NATO spokesperson referred back to Rutte’s earlier remarks when asked for comment on Trump’s statements.
Trump on Japan’s Defense Obligations
Trump also questioned the U.S. treaty alliance with Japan, which he recently reaffirmed in a joint statement with Tokyo, saying the relationship was “poised to grow stronger than ever.”
The U.S.-Japan security arrangement, established after World War II, requires the U.S. to defend Japan if attacked, but Trump pointed out what he sees as an imbalance.
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“We have a great relationship with Japan, but we have an interesting deal with Japan that we have to protect them, but they don’t have to protect us. You know that? That’s the way the deal reads,” he said.
“And by the way, they make a fortune with us economically… Who makes these deals?”
Trump had made similar remarks during a 2019 visit to Japan.
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While Japan’s embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Nicholas Szechenyi, a Japan expert at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that Trump’s statement was “technically inaccurate.” He explained that although Japan’s post-World War II constitution had long restricted its military activities, reforms now allow Japan to exercise collective self-defense and assist the United States under certain circumstances.
“Such circumstances include an armed attack against a foreign state that is in a close relationship with Japan, threatening Japan’s survival,” Szechenyi said.
