Donald Trump has declared it “ridiculous” for the United States to maintain its current level of support for Nato, just days before the military alliance’s summit in Ankara. The US president took to his Truth Social platform to lambast the “one-sided” relationship, asserting that “They were not there for us!!!” and that Washington’s partnership with Nato “is not reciprocal.”
Trump escalates criticism of European allies over Iran war stance
The president’s latest broadside comes amid ongoing tensions with European allies over their response to the war in Iran. Several Nato member states have restricted US forces from using their bases for operations in the Middle East, prompting Trump to insist that Europe must take the lead role in its own defence. Washington has already begun scaling back its commitments, signalling a shift in the transatlantic security dynamic.
In his Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump included a chart comparing Nato spending among member states. It showed the US investing vastly more than several others, including the UK and France, underscoring his argument that the burden is unfairly distributed.
Nato leaders under pressure to boost defence spending to 5% of GDP
Under sustained pressure from Trump, Nato leaders agreed at a summit last year to increase defence-related spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The target, significantly higher than the previous 2% guideline, reflects the administration’s push for greater burden-sharing. However, the president’s dissatisfaction with allies’ contributions remains a central point of contention.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged Trump’s disappointment that Nato allies refused to become more actively involved in attacking Iran. Speaking after a meeting with alliance foreign ministers in May, Rubio stressed that the rift would be a key topic at the upcoming summit in the Turkish capital. He described the gathering as “one of the more important” in Nato’s 77-year history, adding: “The president’s views – frankly, disappointment – at some of our Nato allies and their response to our operations in the Middle East, they are well documented. That will have to be addressed.”
Ankara summit set for 7-8 July 2025
The Nato summit, scheduled for 7 and 8 July 2025 in Ankara, will bring together all 32 member states. Founded in 1949, the alliance has long been a cornerstone of US-led defence policy, credited with maintaining stability in Europe, containing the Soviet Union, and solidifying Washington’s global power. However, Trump’s repeated threats to reduce US commitments have raised concerns among allies about the future of collective defence.
As the summit approaches, European leaders fear they can no longer rely on American assistance in the event of a Russian attack, with the eastern flank’s security now in question. The meeting is expected to address both the Iran war fallout and the broader implications of Washington’s shifting priorities.
