During his first term, President Donald Trump’s relationship with the European Union has become strained. The Trump administration has even discussed withdrawing the United States from NATO. The president’s national security adviser, John Bolton, has repeatedly spoken of withdrawing the United States from the organization, and his former national security adviser, Gen. John Kelly, has spoken of withdrawal from the organization as well. Despite these comments, the Trump administration has increased its defense budget in response to Putin’s aggressive rhetoric and concerns. Moreover, the current crisis has resulted in increased military spending, which reflects the president’s growing distrust for NATO.
A former national security adviser has said that Putin has been waiting for Trump to pull the United States out of NATO. The president has also been vocal in his criticism of NATO, even flouting the idea of withdrawing. He said that the U.S. would go it alone unless the other members of NATO were willing to pay higher fees. The president’s former national security adviser also said that Trump may withdraw from the alliance as soon as his second term.
The Trump administration’s skepticism about NATO is a defining characteristic of its leadership. He has kept secret meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin and even his aides. As a result, NATO is facing serious questions about whether it is a good thing for the United States to be a member. However, it would hurt U.S. interests to withdraw from the alliance. But there is no other way to save the Alliance from the danger of withdrawal.
According to the article in the Treaty, it is legal for a country to withdraw from NATO. The process to exit NATO is laid out in article XIII. The country will need to send a letter of denunciation to the United States and other member countries, which in turn will pass it along to other countries. Then, the country must wait a year before it can withdraw from the alliance.
The withdrawal of the United States from NATO would hurt U.S. interests abroad. The Russian president has secretly met with Putin and Russia’s leader, and his meetings with them have been secret, with his aides and advisers kept the meetings a secret. As a result, these meetings are damaging to U.S. interests, and a complete withdrawal would make no sense. But it would be a gift to Russia, which is not interested in protecting its own people.
If the president withdraws from NATO, it would greatly damage U.S. interests and undermine the organization’s ability to fight Russian aggression. Furthermore, a withdrawal would undermine the alliance’s credibility, as allies doubt that Trump will send troops to protect them in case of an attack. So, the question is, should the United States even leave NATO? If so, how? Consider the consequences. It is not the end of the world.