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Trump says it would be “ridiculous” for U.S. to maintain current support levels for NATO ahead of summit in Turkey
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

International/The Apex Times/Jul 3, 4:59 AM EDT

Trump says it would be “ridiculous” for U.S. to maintain current support levels for NATO ahead of summit in Turkey

The president criticized the alliance as “one sided,” arguing Washington is not receiving reciprocal benefits, as NATO leaders prepare to meet in Ankara. His remarks come amid pressure on allies to increase defense spending.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

President Trump said it would be “ridiculous” for the United States to keep maintaining current support levels for NATO, arguing that the relationship has become “one sided” and is not reciprocal. The comments were delivered late Thursday as the alliance prepares for a summit in Turkey that NATO leaders are set to hold in the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to CBS News.

Trump said the issue was not balanced and pointed to a dispute over whether European allies are contributing enough to the alliance. CBS News reported that in a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that “They were not there for us,” and characterized Washington’s NATO relationship as “not reciprocal.”

Ahead of the summit, Trump’s remarks also reflected an effort to press Europe to take on more of its own defense. CBS News reported that Trump has repeatedly criticized European allies over their positions related to the war in Iran, including restrictions on the use of bases for U.S. forces, while also noting he did not consult them in advance on those decisions or include them in planning for any economic or security fallout.

The CBS News report said Trump included a chart in his Thursday post showing NATO spending amounts, with the United States investing vastly more than other member states depicted. The emphasis on spending aligns with a commitment NATO leaders made last year under pressure from Trump to raise defense-related spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, CBS News reported.

CBS News also said Trump has floated the possibility of trying to pull the United States out of the alliance. The report noted that such a step would require congressional approval. Even without formal withdrawal, the remarks suggest continued White House focus on the scope and cost of U.S. military involvement in Europe, and on whether allies are meeting agreed obligations.

In terms of what happens next, the NATO summit in Ankara will bring together 32 member states for deliberations shaped by ongoing disputes over burden-sharing and defense investment. Trump’s comments arrive less than a week before that meeting, adding to the pressure on allied governments to demonstrate progress on spending commitments and operational readiness.

Legal and diplomatic questions around U.S. participation remain tied to domestic authorization and alliance processes. While Trump’s statement was framed as criticism of current support levels, CBS News reported that any plan to withdraw would not be purely executive, meaning debates over U.S. posture at NATO are likely to continue to run through both alliance negotiations and U.S. congressional oversight.

Why It Matters

  • The timing places Trump’s renewed pressure on burden-sharing directly before NATO leaders meet, potentially shaping summit messaging on defense investment and alliance commitments.
  • If U.S. stance on support levels remains contested, it can affect how allies plan budgets for force readiness and how they manage access to bases and operational cooperation.
  • The dispute also carries domestic implications, because any attempt to withdraw from NATO would require congressional approval, tying alliance policy to U.S. legislative oversight.
  • For families and local communities connected to U.S. and allied forces in Europe, the focus on roles and costs can influence longer-term planning for deployments and military installations.

Sources

Key Facts

  • President Trump said it would be “ridiculous” for the United States to maintain current support levels for NATO.
  • Trump characterized Washington’s NATO relationship as “one sided” and “not reciprocal,” writing “They were not there for us” on Truth Social, according to CBS News.
  • Trump’s remarks came less than a week before a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, according to CBS News.
  • CBS News reported Trump posted a chart showing NATO spending amounts, with the United States investing vastly more than other member states depicted.
  • CBS News said NATO leaders agreed last year to boost defense-related spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035 under pressure from Trump.
  • CBS News reported Trump has said he may try to pull the U.S. out of NATO, but any such step would require Congress to approve it.
Trump says it would be “ridiculous” for U.S. to maintain current support levels for NATO ahead of summit in Turkey | The Apex Times