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By Andrew Stanton and Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump was asked Thursday about reports that he is considering a major change in U.S. involvement with NATO, potentially tying military support to member nations' defense spending levels.
Fox News' Peter Doocy asked the president in the Oval Office, "are you considering changes to NATO where if a country gets attacked but isn't paying enough dues, the US doesn't defend them?"
Trump responded, "Well I've said that to them. I said, 'If you're not gonna pay, we're not gonna defend."
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The question and response comes amid a report by NBC News that Trump has reportedly discussed with aides the possibility of adjusting U.S. engagement to favor allies that allocate a set percentage of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense.
Under this approach, the United States would reportedly withhold military support from NATO members that fail to meet the threshold, a move that could challenge Article 5, the alliance's fundamental principle that an attack on one is an attack on all.
Newsweek reached out to the White House, State Department and NATO for comment.
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Why It Matters
If Trump follows through, it may further strain relations between the United States and NATO, and it's unclear whether countries would respond by increasing their share of NATO investments.
Trump shifted U.S. foreign policy concerning Europe in the early days of his second term in office. While the Biden administration was a staunch supporter of Ukraine amid its war with Russia, Trump has argued that the country must accept some concessions to bring a quick end to the conflict, leaving him at odds with many European leaders.
What To Know
According to NBC News, the administration is also considering prioritizing military exercises with NATO nations that meet the defense spending target.
Officials told the network that Trump's team has already alerted European allies to the possibility of scaling back the U.S. military presence in Europe, with one option concentrating U.S. troops around nations that comply with the spending requirement.
Regarding this report, a National Security Council official told NBC, "President Trump is committed to NATO and Article V."
The White House has not confirmed the report.
It wouldn't be the first chance Trump has suggested for the military alliance. Trump has floated the idea of raising NATO spending to 5 percent of a country's GDP. Under that proposal, even the U.S. would need to increase its spending to meet that goal significantly.
NATO comprises 30 European nations, the United States, and Canada.
Trump has intensified his criticism of NATO allies, particularly targeting those not meeting the alliance's defense spending benchmark of 2 percent of their GDP. Trump and other conservatives have argued this practice is unfair to the U.S.
At a 2024 campaign rally, Trump warned that he would "encourage" Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" in countries he deems "delinquent" in their defense contributions. This rhetoric raised concerns among NATO members, especially those bordering Russia, about the U.S.'s commitment to the alliance's collective defense obligations.
In response to Trump's statements, then-NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of unity within the alliance. He cautioned that any suggestion of allies not defending each other undermines the security of all member nations, including the U.S., and increases risks for American and European forces.
Elon Musk, a key Trump ally who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, has raised the idea of whether the U.S. should leave NATO. However, other administration officials have not publicly said that is a possibility.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in January: "They can all afford it. But they should be at 5 percent not 2 percent."
Matt Whitaker, Trump's pick to become NATO ambassador, told the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee that Trump's commitment to the alliance is "ironclad," according to the Associated Press**.**
"I have no concern that our European allies and Canada can do more and want to do more. I fully expect they will do what's necessary to continue to make NATO the strongest alliance ever in the history of the planet," he said.
What Happens Next
It's unclear how NATO would respond to Trump making this change.
Update 3/6/25, 12:36 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update: 3/6/25, 4:02 p.m. ET: This article and headline have been updated following President Trump's remarks to reporters on Thursday.
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