Trump considers pulling US out of NATO, deepening trans-Atlantic rift

Key Points:

• U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he is strongly considering withdrawing the United States from NATO, marking a significant escalation in his criticism of European allies amid tensions over the Iran war.
• Trump accused NATO allies of being "cowards" and emphasized that the U.S. has shouldered more defense responsibilities, suggesting the alliance may no longer serve American interests, a stance echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
• European leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reaffirmed their commitment to NATO, while some countries have taken independent actions regarding the Middle East conflict, such as Spain closing its airspace to U.S. military flights.
• Analysts warn that a U.S. pullout could weaken NATO's deterrence against Russia, jeopardize European security, and force European countries to significantly increase defense spending and capabilities.
• The legal process for the U.S. to leave NATO is complex, requiring congressional approval, and the alliance continues to operate on consensus, with no current plans to invoke collective defense measures despite recent regional threats.