Trump Considers NATO Exit After Allies Refuse Iran War Aid
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- President Trump publicly accused NATO allies of “turning their backs” on the American people during the six‑week Iran war, declaring the alliance “failed the test.”
- Karoline Leavitt said the president has “discussed” withdrawing from NATO and will address it after a “frank and candid conversation” with NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte.
- Mark Rutte called his meeting with Trump “frank and open,” noting that NATO allies offered logistical support and base access but declined to send combat forces to the Iran conflict.
- The White House is reportedly weighing the closure of U.S. bases or troop withdrawals from Spain and Germany as retaliation for their stance on the Iran war, per the Wall Street Journal.
- NATO members had previously agreed at the 2025 summit to non‑binding targets of spending 5 % of GDP on defense by 2035, though Spain sought an exemption, prompting Trump’s criticism.
- Trump has also threatened to seize Greenland and repeatedly demanded higher European defense spending, underscoring a strained transatlantic relationship.
Why it matters: If the U.S. follows through on pulling troops or closing bases in Spain and Germany, European allies would lose critical U.S. security support while Trump would gain leverage to force higher defense spending and political concessions, reshaping the transatlantic alliance.
