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Aug 17, 20204 min read

How has Trump changed the US’ relationship with NATO?

By: Carter Hull


Arguably one of the most important organizations the US is involved in is “NATO” or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries. NATO implements the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on April 4, 1949. NATO’s mission is to protect the freedom of its members from attacks predominantly involving weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. NATO’s most notable strength is the unity present between its members, due to the mutual understanding that all members are expected to respond in force to an external attack on any member countries. However, since Donald Trump has emerged onto the Presidential scene, the US-NATO relationship has become increasingly fragile. This is why after almost four years of President Trump’s time in office, it is important to reflect on the current state of America’s relationship with the alliance.


Where did things start to go south?


Since Donald Trump’s election in 2016, the unity that holds together this organization has become increasingly fragile. Starting at his entrance to the Presidential campaign trail, then-candidate Donald Trump criticized other member countries for failing to contribute 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) as outlined in the member agreement. Due to the United States continuing to pay for more than three-fourths of NATO’s annual operating budget, with only the United Kingdom, Greece, and Estonia meeting their contribution target out of the other 30 member countries.


At the July 2018 NATO summit, President Trump requested that NATO nations increase their spending to 4% of GDP. For context, the United States spent 4.5% GDP in 2017, or $886 billion in funding for NATO. Furthermore, the President has also accused NATO of being obsolete, saying that the organization focuses on defending Europe against Russia instead of combating terrorism for all member countries. Because of this, member countries worry Trump's criticism of NATO and his praise of Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, means they can no longer rely on the United States as an ally in case of attack.


What is happening right now?


In recent months, the United States abandonment of its NATO allies for President Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy has become increasingly clear. The most notable manifestation was the announcement that the United States would be withdrawing some 9,500 troops from fellow NATO member country—Germany. But this is just one of many instances in which the United States has shown disregard for the wishes and concerns of European partners. The Trump Administration has also announced that it will be withdrawing from both the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, which happened in August 2019. As well as the Open Skies Treaty that the Trump Administration announced it would be starting the six month exit period this May. These moves are just a drop in the bucket of the decisions made by the Trump administration that has sent shockwaves through NATO. As a result, NATO partners are now walking on eggshells when it comes to the Trump Administration to avoid retaliatory moves from the President such as troop reductions and budget cuts.


Why can an unpredictable Trump Administration destroy NATO?


In January of 2019, the New York Times first reported that President Trump was considering withdrawing the United States from NATO all together— a move that would effectively destroy the alliance, due to the importance of the US as a member country. While the chances of the United States withdrawing from the alliance remain low, the damage has been done when it comes to the United States’ relationship with NATO. The continuous threats from the White House against NATO has undermined the bond America has shared with Europe for so long. Now, Europe is having to reassess its faith in the United States to decide if push comes to shove will it still be “America First”?


It is important to understand that what the United States gains in security and influence from NATO far exceeds any cost to the United States. Further, NATO is much more than a security alliance for the United States. It is a powerful example of the strength of democracy and of American leadership in the world. This is why the constant threats and attacks made against NATO have diminished America’s standing in the alliance. Thus it’s understandable why Trump has changed America’s relationship with NATO from a moral compass, to an unreliable blank check.


What are the implications of a deepening divide between America and NATO?


Sources have explained that the loss of trust between the US and NATO could have implications reaching far beyond Europe. For the United States, the national consequences would be extreme if we continue on the path of division in regards to our relationship with NATO. Consequences that will follow further divergence from NATO include:

  • American defense industries that produce quality NATO-standard equipment purchased by allies will sustain losses in Europe as cheaper, non-standard military equipment becomes an alternative.

  • NATO would no longer be the foundation for U.S. military force structure and American military planning would be thrown into disarray.

  • Critical national intelligence relationships now in place with allies would be damaged.

  • The availability of U.S. air, naval, and army bases throughout Europe, now part of the NATO commitment and critical to American strategic interests worldwide, would become more restricted, costly, or lost altogether.

  • The U.S. security commitment to allies in Asia would immediately be suspect.

  • The effect on international financial markets would be uncertain.


What is the future of America’s relationship with NATO?


With the upcoming Presidential election taking place in just under three months, NATO allies will be closely monitoring election results. Depending on who wins the White House, the United States will either continue to further divide themselves with their European allies or be tasked with undoing four years of serious damage to America’s reputation in the international community.


The repercussions that continued self-inflicted damage stands to have on the US-NATO relationship is just one of the plethora of reasons that the 2020 election is shaping up to be the most important election in our generation. Because NATO is not just an intergovernmental military alliance, but the foundation of America’s international hegemony.


Discussion Questions

  • How should NATO respond to America’s decision to withdraw troops in Germany?

  • Is a Joe Biden Presidency the key to repairing the US-NATO relationship?

  • What steps should NATO take to address a diverging United States?

  • Has the Trump Administration caused irreparable damage to the US-NATO relationship?


Sources Used


Further Reading

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