The external shockwaves triggered by the US-Iran war continue to expand, as President Trump’s rage toward allies has spread from the Middle East to Europe. According to reports, Trump is dissatisfied with some NATO members remaining on the sidelines during US military action against Iran and is considering implementing 'punishment' measures against those countries. The White House even stated bluntly that NATO failed the 'test' of this war, and during Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Lute on the 8th, the possibility of the US 'withdrawing from NATO' may be formally discussed.
The Wall Street Journal quoted sources as saying that Trump is extremely dissatisfied with several NATO allies for refusing to join in strikes against Iran, and even having critical views of US military actions, and is currently studying a series of plans to 'punish' certain NATO countries to serve as a warning to others. At a press conference on the 8th, White House spokesperson Leavitt directly stated that Trump believed NATO 'did not pass the test' during the US-Iran conflict and failed to demonstrate the support allies should show.
Leavitt revealed that on the 8th, Trump would meet with NATO Secretary General Lute at the White House, and both sides would very likely discuss the topic of the US withdrawing from NATO. She described it as a 'very candid and sincere' conversation, hinting that Trump may have lost patience with the existing collective security mechanism.
● Trump Criticizes NATO Again: Remember Greenland
Subsequent reports said that Lute stayed for over 90 minutes during his meeting with Trump at the White House. Lute told the media that he had a very frank and open discussion with Trump, describing it as a discussion between two good friends, and also expressed great admiration for Trump’s leadership. However, he did not answer whether Trump expressed his intention for the US to withdraw from NATO.
After meeting with Lute, Trump again criticized NATO. He posted on social media: 'NATO was not there when we needed them, and if we need them again, they still won’t be there. Remember Greenland, that chaotic sheet of ice.'
● Punitive Measures May Involve Tariffs or Military Spending
Since the start of the US-Iran war, European allies such as the UK, France, and Germany have repeatedly expressed concerns about Trump’s threats to destroy Iranian civilization and have called for restraint from all sides, with Spain even criticizing Trump’s actions against Iran. This 'asymmetrical' diplomatic stance has clearly touched a nerve with Trump. It is expected that the so-called 'punishments' could include raising the threshold for defense spending by those countries, withdrawing stationed US troops, or even retaliating through economic means such as imposing higher trade tariffs.
As early as his first term, Trump frequently questioned the value of NATO, and now, by using the Iran conflict to revive the 'withdraw from NATO' controversy, he is unsettling nerves across Europe. Some diplomatic analysts have pointed out that if the US actually pulls out of NATO, it would completely reshape the global security structure that has been in place since World War II.