Allies fear Trump will target NATO in case of midterm loss
The U.S. president could move thousands more troops out of Europe or cut NATO funding as he seeks to cement his legacy, diplomats say.
European allies are growing increasingly concerned that President Donald Trump may target NATO in the event of his party's losses in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Five NATO diplomats, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared their fears with journalists. They believe that if Trump is restrained by Congress on domestic policy, he may seek to solidify his legacy in foreign affairs, where he perceives more freedom.
One senior European defense official noted that "lame duck presidents" often vent frustrations and become more adventurous in foreign policy, with attacking NATO being a consistent part of Trump's worldview.
The White House has defended Trump's actions, citing his successes in securing allies' commitments to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 and bolstering U.S. military presence in Greenland. However, Trump remains firm that allies should have been more supportive during the war in Ukraine. Democrats are expected to win the House of Representatives and potentially take control of the Senate, while Trump's personal approval ratings have hit a record low.
The concerns are further heightened by recent U.S. actions, including the cutoff of Starlink satellite services for Ukraine and a rapprochement between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. If Trump escalates his attacks on NATO, it could deal a significant blow to the alliance, just as Russia is intensifying its sabotage campaign and hybrid war across Europe.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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