Trump threatens to quit Nato
After US Secretary of State Marco Rubio lashed out at Nato, US President Donald Trump has now threatened to pull the US out of the defence alliance altogether. In an interview on Wednesday he said that he was seriously considering withdrawal after the war with Iran ends. His comments were prompted by the refusal of several EU countries to assist the US in attacking Iran. How seriously should Europe take this threat?
Unpredictable, hyperactive and unstable
Polityka is deeply concerned:
“We have no Nato B. Which is why Starmer has proposed to host a 'Gulf summit' and announced that he will be fighting to keep the alliance alive, while at the same time repeating his own words about the need for Britain to strengthen ties with the European Union. Could it be that a European alternative is starting to emerge? ... Even if we wake up tomorrow with an alliance that looks the same as the one we fall asleep with this evening, there is no guarantee for how long it will last. The unpredictability, hyperactivity and instability of the American president no longer affects only the US's rivals and enemies but is having an even greater impact on its formal allies.”
Moscow's wildest dreams could come true
Trump is succeeding where the Soviet Union and Russia have failed, Jyllands-Posten fears:
“The old Soviet dream of the collapse of Nato, a rift between the US and Europe and discord among the nations of Europe appears to be coming true. ... Europe was under the assumption the transatlantic partnership, united in its commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, would be so strong that the US would not hesitate to intervene the moment these values came under threat. Acknowledging that this community of shared values no longer exists is perhaps the hardest part. On the other hand, it could just cause Europe to wake up at long last and start fighting for everything it loves and holds dear.”
No topic for an April fool's hoax
Postimees fumes at the flippancy with which Trump threatened to withdraw from NATO:
“The alliance with the United States is cemented by blood ties. Nato is no laughing matter. Fortunately, America's withdrawal is not something the president can decide for himself, because in December 2023 the US Congress passed a law prohibiting the president from making such a decision without its approval. ... If President Trump wants European help in opening up the Strait of Hormuz, we should recall the suggestion by Finnish President Alexander Stubb that Europe would guarantee the security of the Strait of Hormuz as soon as the US President grants Ukraine the support needed to reach a peace agreement acceptable to Kyiv. That would be a win-win for all involved.”
US needs Europe's support
The Times draws attention to just how dependent the US is on Europe's support in the war against Iran:
“No European bases, no refuelling for bombers, fighters and cargo aircraft heading to the Middle East. No land-based air campaign, and no rapid resupply. Of course, the Americans could try building permanent air bases in Africa but that would be challenging. The same is true for naval facilities. The Gerald R Ford, America's new supercarrier, has pulled out of operations against Iran due to a fire in its laundry. The ship is being patched up in Croatia.”
Looking for a scape goat
Club Z has its own theory:
“Trump did not talk to his European allies before the start of this war and is now trying to use them to justify his paltry achievements and helplessness. ... Anyone following the statements coming from the White House is gradually starting to understand it has stopped trying to find a solution to the war and is trying instead to find someone to blame for its failure. But it is going about this just as chaotically as it is going about the war itself.”
Europeans are making progress
France Inter also sees a silver lining to the confrontation over Nato:
“Has the hour of truth arrived? Donald Trump has left no room for doubt anymore about his rejection of Article 5 of the Nato treaty, which guarantees support for a member state under attack. In a demonstration of US unscrupulousness, Poland has been called upon to send part of its Patriot system to the Middle East, despite being in a war zone itself. Poland refused point blank. Ultimately, Trump will have taught Europe one thing: to say no. France paid a high price in 2003 for saying no to George W. Bush on Iraq. But this time, almost all of Europe is refusing to follow the US into an ill-considered military adventure. That is progress.”