European Security — 2026-04-08

Trump Discusses Possible US NATO Withdrawal with Alliance Chief Rutte

President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House to discuss possible US withdrawal from the alliance, following Trump's public statements calling NATO a "paper tiger." Trump's anger stems from NATO allies refusing to support the Iran campaign: Spain and France restricted airspace and military facilities for US use, and multiple allies declined to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The White House stated allies "turned their backs" on the US. Congress passed a 2023 law preventing any president from withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval, constraining Trump's options.

Analysis
Congress passed a law in 2023 preventing unilateral NATO withdrawal, constraining Trump's options to rhetorical pressure and practical measures like troop repositioning. The WSJ report that the administration is evaluating pulling troops from NATO allies that refused to support the Iran campaign, with Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Greece as potential beneficiaries, suggests the real play is restructuring the US forward posture rather than formal exit. Spain's airspace closure and France's munitions transit restrictions provide the specific grievances driving the rebalancing.

4 sources

NATO fate looms over Rutte's White House sit-down with Trump - Stars and Stripes
NATO chief heads to Washington as Trump 2.0 flames the alliance - Axios
White House Addresses NATO Withdrawal, Says Allies Turned Their Backs - Newsweek
Trump, Rubio face NATO chief as US moves to reexamine alliance after Iran clash - Fox News