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Trump Says 'we Don't Have to Be There for Nato'
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 27, 2026
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President Trump declared on March 27, 2026 that the U.S. “doesn’t have to be there for NATO” if allies won’t support its war on Iran, reigniting concerns over his commitment to Article 5. His remarks come amid widespread European refusal to back U.S. military actions and a growing rift in transatlan
Trump Suggests US May Not Support NATO Amid Rising Transatlantic Tension
US-NATO Relations Under Scrutiny After Trump's Comments
By Steve Holland and Gram Slattery
Trump's Statements on NATO Support
MIAMI, March 27 (Reuters) - Donald Trump said on Friday the United States does not "have to be there for NATO," comments that again raised questions about the U.S. president's commitment to the mutual defense provisions at the center of the transatlantic alliance.
Remarks at Miami Investment Forum
Speaking to an investment forum in Miami on Friday night, Trump said he was upset that European NATO countries had declined to provide material support to the U.S. as it nears the fourth week of its ongoing war on Iran.
Lack of Consultation with European Allies
European allies were not consulted by the U.S. on its decision to attack Iran late last month, and many leaders in the alliance opposed the action.
"We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?" Trump told the audience.
"That sounds like a breaking story? Yes, sir. Is that breaking news? I think we just have breaking news, but that's the fact. I've been saying that. Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us? They weren't there for us."
History of Trump's Relationship with NATO
The president has had a famously on-again-off-again relationship with the alliance, and he has at various points made comments that provoked questions about his willingness to adhere to NATO's Article 5, which states an attack against one member state is an attack on all.
Controversial Campaign Trail Comments
On the campaign trail in 2024, Trump famously encouraged Russian President Vladimir Putin to attack European NATO countries that did not pay their fair share on defense.
Fluctuating Relations with European Leaders
His relationship with several European leaders, however, appeared to improve over the course of 2025.
Renewed Tensions Over Greenland
But Washington-Brussels relations again soured in 2026 after Trump ramped up his threats to invade Greenland, which is an overseas territory of Denmark.
(Reporting by Steve Holland in Miami and Gram Slattery in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese)
Key Takeaways
- •Trump publicly questioned U.S. commitment to NATO’s mutual defense, stating the U.S. need not support allies who don’t support it—just hours before his March 27 appearance in Miami. This marks a sharp reversal from prior affirmations of solidarity. (apnews.com)
- •European NATO members, including Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK, have flatly rejected Trump’s call to assist U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz/Iran war, prompting him to label their refusal a “very foolish mistake” and accuse NATO of being “a paper tiger.” (en.wikipedia.org)
- •NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and other leaders continue to reaffirm commitment to Article 5, pushing back against Trump’s skepticism and signaling persistent tensions over burden‑sharing and mutual defense. (newsweek.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump says 'we don't have to be there for NATO'
1What did Trump say about the US commitment to NATO?
Trump stated that the United States does not 'have to be there for NATO,' raising questions about US commitment to the alliance.
2Why was Trump upset with European NATO countries?
Trump was upset because European NATO countries declined to provide material support to the US during its conflict with Iran.
3Has Trump previously questioned NATO's mutual defense provisions?
Yes, Trump has made comments in the past that provoked questions about his willingness to adhere to NATO's Article 5.
4How have Trump's relations with European leaders changed over time?
Trump's relationship with European leaders improved in 2025 but soured again in 2026 after threats against Greenland.
5Where did Trump make his latest comments on NATO?
Trump made his comments during an investment forum in Miami.
