US President Donald Trump has indicated he is weighing a withdrawal of the United States from NATO, a move reported by the Daily Telegraph that would mark a major shift in transatlantic security arrangements. According to the report, Trump said he is “strongly considering” pulling the US out of the alliance and criticised NATO’s role and relevance in today’s geopolitical environment.
The remarks come amid growing tensions between Washington and several European partners over military support and policy toward the Iran-related conflict in West Asia. Trump reportedly described NATO as a “paper tiger,” questioning its effectiveness and whether it advances US strategic interests.
A US withdrawal would face legal and political constraints. Legislation passed by Congress in 2023 requires a two-thirds Senate vote to approve any exit from NATO, meaning the president could not unilaterally withdraw the United States from the alliance.
NATO, founded in 1949, is built on the principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Analysts warn that a US departure would undermine collective deterrence, force European countries to reassess their defence postures, and could embolden rivals such as Russia.
European leaders have publicly urged unity and expressed concern, but responses so far have been cautious, reflecting both diplomatic sensitivity and anxiety about the durability of the transatlantic partnership. Behind the scenes, officials are reportedly debating contingency plans and how to reassure publics and partners.
The latest comments reinforce Trump’s long-standing scepticism of multilateral security commitments and his critique that NATO places an outsized burden on the United States. Observers say this is the strongest signal yet of a potential policy shift, though legal hurdles and political opposition in Washington complicate any immediate action.
The prospect of a US withdrawal arrives at a moment of elevated global tensions, with conflicts in West Asia and disruptions to energy routes adding to geopolitical uncertainty. Policymakers warn that loosening the US role in NATO could deepen instability and reshape security calculations across Europe and beyond.
For now, the report has prompted fresh debate among diplomats and defence experts about the future of the alliance, how members would respond to diminished US engagement, and what steps European states might take to bolster their own defence capabilities if the US were to scale back its commitment.
