Trump Casts Doubt on EU Support for U.S. in Crisis

Melbourne, 16 July— U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed doubt over whether the European Union (EU) would come to America’s aid in a time of crisis. He cited this lack of confidence as one of the key reasons for not pursuing a trade agreement with the EU.

According to a report by Reuters on Tuesday, Trump made these remarks during an interview with the BBC.

While acknowledging that NATO member states have agreed to increase defense spending, Trump said he still questions their willingness to support the United States in the event of a conflict.

“One of the problems with NATO, as I’ve said, is that we’re expected to fight for them. But if we were to go to war, would they fight for us? I’m not sure I can say that,” Trump said. “However, I do believe the United Kingdom would fight alongside us. I think they would be there. But I’m not so sure about many of the others.”

Trump also revealed that this uncertainty played a role in his decision to grant the UK exemptions from certain U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, he has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 30% on European products.

“Look, that’s why I made a deal with them [the UK],” Trump said. “And I haven’t made a deal—I mean, I’ve made other deals—but for the most part, I haven’t made a deal with what you’d call our competitors, the European Union.”

To date, NATO has invoked Article 5 of its founding treaty—the mutual defense clause—only once. That was after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when allies rallied behind the United States. British troops later joined U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, since then, the size of the UK’s military has significantly declined.