Diplomats in Europe believe that the re-election of former President Donald Trump could lead to Washington leaving NATO.
The Telegraph reports that several diplomats from NATO member countries have expressed concerns about the potential departure of the US from the alliance if former President Donald Trump secures re-election in November. They emphasized the urgency for NATO countries in Europe to devise strategies to address the consequences of such a scenario and evaluate the bloc’s defense capabilities.
Highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s future actions, an unnamed European diplomat stated that the prospect of the US withdrawing from NATO is worrisome.
Following his victory in 14 out of 15 states during Super Tuesday’s Republican primaries and securing 995 votes from Republican Congress delegates, former President Trump has solidified his leadership position. He is expected to face President Joe Biden in November, as Biden currently leads in the Democratic primaries.
Former senior US officials, including former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and former national security advisor John Bolton, have raised concerns about the potential withdrawal of the US from NATO if President Trump is re-elected. Mark Esper warned of the possibility of Trump initiating the withdrawal of US forces from NATO countries, which could lead to “the collapse of the alliance”, as reported by Reuters in December 2023.
John Bolton echoed similar sentiments in mid-February 2024, emphasizing the real danger NATO would face under Trump’s leadership, stating that Trump “will try to get out of NATO.”
In response to these warnings, a European diplomat stressed the importance of planning for scenarios where Trump follows through with such plans or weakens America’s commitment to NATO.
The newspaper’s source emphasized the necessity for NATO to be prepared for potential changes. Another official criticized NATO’s reliance on the US and called for discussions on mitigating risks associated with US troop withdrawals. A third source suggested that European countries assess the adequacy of their defense plans in response to such risks.
Similar concerns were raised in the UK by Lord Kim Darroch, former British Ambassador to the US and national security adviser to the prime minister. Darroch urged European officials to commission experts to contemplate the implications of a NATO without US involvement.
Former President Trump has not recently commented on US withdrawal from NATO. However, in February 2024, he stated that he would not defend NATO members failing to meet the 2% spending threshold in the event of an attack, including from Russia. Moscow has denied any plans to attack a NATO member, emphasizing the impracticality of starting a global war.
