Why Some NATO Members Are Questioning Their Role Under Trump

U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to Sweden to meet NATO allies this week, carrying a message from President Donald Trump: America feels let down by countries that wouldn’t support its military actions in Iran. Rubio singled out Spain over its refusal to let U. S. forces use its bases, suggesting that if nations won’t back the U. S. in conflicts, they might not belong in the alliance. His comments highlight growing tension—not just over the Iran war but over whether NATO still works the way it used to. Trump’s criticism of NATO isn’t new. He’s repeatedly questioned whether the U. S. should keep defending Europe if allies don’t contribute enough. Recent moves—like pulling 5, 000 troops from Europe and canceling planned military deployments—have only made things worse. European leaders worry Trump might even pull the U. S. out of NATO entirely, especially after his push to buy Greenland, a NATO member, strained relations with Denmark.But Europe isn’t standing still. At the meeting in Sweden, some NATO ministers plan to push back by offering more help in key areas, like protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has disrupted trade. They also want to take on more responsibility for their own defense. Still, U. S. officials have made it clear they’ll cut back on some military support unless Europe steps up faster. The confusion doesn’t stop there. The U. S. first said troops would leave Germany, then changed plans to delay sending a brigade to Poland. Meanwhile, a planned missile deployment to Germany was scrapped. These mixed signals leave allies unsure what to expect next. NATO’s top general tried to ease concerns, saying any troop cuts would happen slowly to give Europe time to build its own defenses. But trust takes time to rebuild. Behind the disagreements lies a bigger question: How much should Europe rely on the U. S. for its security? Some see Trump’s actions as a wake-up call—proof that Europe needs to invest more in its own military. Others fear it’s pushing NATO toward collapse. Either way, the meeting in Sweden will be tense, with both sides trying to figure out if the alliance can survive this rough patch.