US President Donald Trump is considering changing how countries participate in NATO by introducing a “pay-to-play” model. Under this idea, a country’s level of influence in the alliance would depend on its defense spending.
Details
The Telegraph reports on the potential shift. According to the outlet, Trump’s administration is preparing a scenario in which countries that do not spend 5% of GDP on defense could lose some of their rights within NATO. This could affect their role in key decision-making and access to certain alliance mechanisms, including NATO expansion, joint missions, and the use of Article 5 on collective defense.
Trump is weighing this idea after NATO countries refused to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz. He has also threatened that the United States could fully withdraw from the alliance. According to sources, Trump is also considering pulling US troops out of Germany, a move he has been thinking about since returning to office.
Current State and Outlook
All NATO member states currently spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. Trump has repeatedly criticized allies for what he sees as insufficient contributions to their own security. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said leaders will need to present plans to reach a new 5% target.
“Any country that’s not paying 5 per cent shouldn’t be allowed to vote on future expenditures at Nato,” a source in the Trump administration said.
According to the report, the US has not officially presented the plan to NATO headquarters in Brussels. However, American officials have promoted the idea during discussions at various forums. NATO members are likely to block such changes, which could deepen tensions with Trump.
US and the United Kingdom
Sources say Trump’s relationship with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has worsened after he blocked US access to the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands. On March 26, the Pentagon informed Congress that it plans to redirect about $750 million from a program funding weapons for Ukraine to replenish US stockpiles.
“This was a test for Nato. If you don’t do this, we’ll remember. Remember this in a number of months from now. Remember my statements. They have an expression, a great expression: never forget,” Trump said the same day.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that the US is considering deploying at least 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East amid rising tensions around Iran.
