Trump Threatens U.S. Exit from NATO: Alliance Considers It Unlikely

On Wednesday, April 1, Politico reported that despite threats from United States President Donald Trump regarding a potential exit from NATO, there are no observable steps being taken within the Alliance in this direction. NATO diplomats, congressional aides, and defense department representatives confirmed that the Trump administration has not initiated any internal discussions or negotiations concerning a withdrawal from the Alliance.

Withdrawing from NATO would require not only negotiations with lawmakers but also a clear procedural framework. However, according to sources cited by Politico, there have been no such actions from the White House. They also noted that the administration has not provided specific directives regarding the U.S. role in the Alliance, and the Pentagon is not engaged in similar discussions. This indicates that Trump's statements have yet to be backed by concrete actions.

According to the publication, despite Trump's sharp remarks and his dissatisfaction with allies who did not support the U.S. military campaign against Iran, there is no evidence that the administration truly intends to take real steps toward exiting NATO. "There is no evidence that this is actually the case," stated a senior Senate aide.

While theoretically, Trump could suddenly announce a change in the U.S. position regarding NATO, an actual exit from the Alliance would be complicated by legal restrictions. Specifically, a 2023 law requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, which could block such a decision in Congress. "Trump's loud statements rarely translate into a structural break with NATO. Let’s not forget that the Alliance still serves the fundamental strategic interests of the U.S.," emphasized a NATO diplomat.

Some NATO partners express the opinion that Trump's rhetoric may be an attempt to pressure allies into taking noticeable actions, particularly to more actively engage in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz. "Trump's threats appeared more like another bluff," noted one official, adding that this aligns with the typical practice of increasing U.S. pressure on Europe during crises.

On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that after the war with Iran concludes, Washington will likely need to reassess its relationship with NATO. Previously, Trump had also claimed that the United States does not need NATO allies' assistance in the war against the Iranian regime, stating that he "always knew that the Alliance would never help the U.S."

On April 1, Trump announced that he is seriously considering the possibility of the U.S. exiting NATO after allies refused to support his stance regarding the conflict with Iran. The U.S. President also referred to the Alliance as a "paper tiger" and stated that this decision is "not subject to review." On the same day, the Financial Times, citing sources, reported that Trump threatened to halt arms supplies to Ukraine to compel European allies to join a coalition to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.