'Pay to play': Trump targets NATO over absence of support on Iran
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a radical reorganization of NATO based on a "pay to play" model, effectively seeking to punish the alliance, according to The Telegraph.
White House frustration stems from European allies' refusal to send naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz to counter Iran. In response, Trump is weighing a series of tough measures.
One proposal under consideration would bar countries spending less than 5% of GDP on joint defense from voting on shared missions, NATO expansion, and budget allocations. Allies failing to meet the new financial threshold could even be left without US protection in the event of an attack.
"You shouldn't be able to vote to spend future money if you're not paying. We need to start the conversation about what is a threat and what does the alliance do. We have to send the message that what Spain and the UK did is unacceptable," one source told the outlet.
Trump is also reportedly planning to threaten the withdrawal of US forces from Germany, a concept he has been considering since the start of his second term in office.
Sources say these plans have never been officially discussed at NATO headquarters in Brussels, though US officials have pushed the "pay or stay silent" model in various forums.
Relations with the United Kingdom are also strained. Trump's rapport with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer soured after London initially blocked the use of the Diego Garcia military base for US operations. Pentagon officials complain that London has become an "unreliable ally."
"The American people have been shocked at just how much the British Government has been unreliable. The US department of defence has been frustrated that they can't properly partner with a country that is supposed to be our greatest ally," a source said.
Trump criticizes NATO
The US president has recently renewed his attacks on NATO, citing Iran. He claims the alliance failed its test as members refused to participate in a US-led operation against Iran.
Earlier, Trump stated that without US involvement, NATO became a "paper tiger," with European allies showing cowardice by refusing military action to lower oil prices.
He reportedly erupted after NATO allies denied direct military support. Particularly, French President Emmanuel Macron said France had not chosen this war and would not participate, while Spain outright banned the United States from using bases on its territory for attacks on Iran.
