Trump Says He Is Seriously Considering Withdrawing the U.S. from NATO: “It Never Convinced Me”

U.S. President Donald Trump told The Daily Telegraph that he is seriously considering withdrawing the United States from North Atlantic Treaty Organization after allies refused to support him in the war against Iran.

“I always knew the alliance was a paper tiger, and Vladimir Putin knows it too,” the White House leader said.

In a separate interview with Reuters, the 47th president of the United States added that he plans to express his dissatisfaction with NATO in an upcoming address to the nation.

During a phone interview with Reuters, Trump stated that one of the key elements of his speech will be his criticism of NATO for what he considers a lack of support for U.S. objectives in Iran.

He said he is “absolutely” considering the possibility of withdrawing the United States from NATO, an organization founded on a treaty ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1949.

“They were not our friends when we needed them,” Trump said.
“I never asked too much… it’s a one-sided relationship.”

Asked whether he would reconsider U.S. membership in NATO, he replied:
“Oh yes, I would say it’s something that is now back on the table. NATO never convinced me. I always knew it was a paper tiger, and Putin knows it too.”

Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz for several weeks, causing a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices and raising fears of a global recession. However, NATO partners were reluctant to contribute to reopening the strait, through which around 20% of the world’s oil normally passes.

In this context, Trump added:
“I didn’t make a big deal out of it. I just said, ‘Hey.’ I didn’t push too hard. I just think it should be automatic. We were there automatically, including in Ukraine. Ukraine was not our problem. It was a test, and we were there for them — and we would always be there for them. They were not there for us.”

Referring specifically to the United Kingdom, Trump criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to become involved in the American-Israeli war against Iran, suggesting that the Royal Navy would not be capable of handling such a mission.

“You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and you have aircraft carriers that don’t work,” he said, referring to the condition of Britain’s fleet.

Asked whether the British prime minister should increase defense spending, Trump added:
“I’m not going to tell him what to do. He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter. All Starmer wants are expensive windmills that drive your energy prices through the roof.”

Earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to NATO’s collective defense, saying the decision will depend on President Trump, particularly after European allies did not support Washington in the war against Iran.

Asked by Reuters during a press conference whether the United States remains committed to NATO’s collective defense, Hegseth said:
“As far as NATO is concerned, that is a decision that will be left to the president. But I will say that many things have been revealed.”

Referring to tensions with allies such as France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, he added:
“When we request additional assistance or even simple access, basing, and overflight, we receive questions, obstacles, or hesitation.”

“You don’t have a very strong alliance if countries are not willing to stand with you when you need them. (Trump) is simply highlighting this, and ultimately it will be his decision what this situation will look like,” Hegseth said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also raised serious questions about the transatlantic relationship, stating that the United States will need to “reassess” its ties with NATO after the war against Iran ends.

“I think, unfortunately, there is no doubt that once this conflict ends, we will have to reassess this relationship. We will need to reevaluate NATO’s value for our country within this alliance,” Rubio said on Fox News.

He added that it will ultimately be President Trump who decides the future of that relationship.

The United States has accused several NATO countries, including France, Spain, and Italy, of refusing to allow overflight of their territories or the use of American bases to transport military equipment to Israel as part of the war against Iran, which began on February 28.

Speaking about the conflict on Fox News, Rubio said:
“We are close to the finish line,” without providing a specific timeline.

He had previously stated that military intervention in Iran would take weeks, not months.