Trump questions NATO’s Article 5
(MENAFN) U.S. President Donald Trump has declined to explicitly reaffirm America’s unconditional commitment to NATO’s Article 5—the clause that obligates member nations to collectively respond to an attack on any one of them. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Tuesday as he traveled to the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump offered a more ambiguous stance.
Asked directly if he supported Article 5, Trump responded, “Depends on your definition,” adding that there are “numerous definitions” of the treaty clause. He continued, “I’m committed to being their friend… I’ve become friends with many of those leaders.”
Pressed for clarification, Trump stated, “I’m committed to saving lives. I’m committed to life and safety. And I’m going to give you an exact definition when I get there.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attempted to downplay concerns, telling reporters he was confident in Washington’s commitment to NATO and Article 5. Rutte had recently sent Trump a glowing private message praising his actions in Iran and anticipating success at the summit.
Trump has often criticized NATO and urged member countries to increase military spending. His decision to reengage in direct talks with Russia and scale back unconditional support for Ukraine has unsettled some allies.
In response to the shifting U.S. posture, European leaders have begun discussing alternatives to reliance on American defense. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently warned that Europe can no longer afford to “free ride” on U.S. security guarantees, and in April, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Europe must accept it is no longer Washington’s top geopolitical priority.
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