Recent tensions within NATO have escalated as U.S. President Donald Trump, as of April 2026, has intensified threats to withdraw the United States from the alliance, labeling it a "paper tiger".

 

Trump’s rage at NATO allies is binding them together — against him

Recent tensions within NATO have escalated as U.S. President Donald Trump, as of April 2026, has intensified threats to withdraw the United States from the alliance, labeling it a "paper tiger". This latest rift is primarily driven by European allies' refusal to join the U.S.-led military operations in Iran, which began in late February 2026.

 

Rather than fracturing under this pressure, European members are increasingly coordinating to strengthen their own security frameworks independent of Washington.

 

Core Points of Contention (Early 2026)

The Iran War Split: Major allies including France, Spain, Italy, and the U.K. have refused to provide military support or use of their airspace for U.S. strikes in Iran. Spain specifically cited the lack of a UN mandate for what it termed an "illegal war".

Strait of Hormuz: Trump has criticized allies for not helping secure the vital trade route, suggesting they should "fend for themselves" if they want access to Middle Eastern energy.

Greenland Dispute: Tensions were further strained in January 2026 by Trump’s renewed intention to seize control of Greenland, a move that drew "horrified" reactions from European officials.

 

Alliance Response and Unity

European officials are responding by building "alternative structures" to hedge against a potential NATO collapse.

Surge in Defense Spending: In 2025, for the first time, all NATO allies met the 2% GDP spending goal. Many are now aiming for a new 5% GDP target by 2035 agreed upon at the 2025 Hague Summit.

Joint Initiatives: The U.K. is hosting a meeting of 35 countries to discuss diplomatic measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, notably excluding direct military alignment with Trump's current strategy.

Strategic Autonomy: The push for "European strategic autonomy" has moved from theoretical to a "matter of immediate survival" as leaders seek to ensure security if U.S. reliability continues to "crumple".

 

Legal and Institutional Barriers to Exit

While Trump claims U.S. membership is "beyond reconsideration," legal experts note he face significant hurdles:

 

2024 Defense Act: This U.S. law prevents a president from withdrawing from NATO without two-thirds support from the Senate or an act of Congress.

Congressional Resistance: Leaders like Mitch McConnell have publicly defended NATO, reminding the administration that the only time Article 5 was ever invoked was to defend the U.S. after 9/11.

Despite the "immense damage" to trust, some officials, including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, continue efforts to bridge the gap by highlighting Europe's massive military surge as a fulfillment of Trump's long-standing demands.