US President Donald Trump has announced that he is seriously considering terminating the United States’ participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, the president called the alliance a “paper tiger” and emphasized that the issue of withdrawing from the organization is now “beyond the review stage.”
The main reason for the White House leader’s dissatisfaction is the refusal of allies to support the United States in the war against Iran and to send forces to open the Strait of Hormuz. According to Trump, America has always automatically supported its partners, but now it does not see reciprocal steps.
“I am seriously considering the possibility of withdrawing from NATO. I have never been fascinated by NATO. I always knew that they were a “paper tiger,” and by the way, Putin knows it too,” Trump said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also agrees with the president’s position, noting that the alliance has turned into a “one-way street.” According to Rubio, if NATO is only for the US to defend Europe, but allies refuse to provide the US with military bases, then this is a bad agreement that needs to be reviewed.
At the moment, Washington is discussing a new “pay-to-play” model of NATO operations, which could deprive member countries of decision-making rights if they fail to fulfill their financial obligations.
