DAVOS, Switzerland — U.S. President Donald Trump has once again raised questions about NATO allies’ commitment to collective defense, claiming in a Fox News interview Thursday that troops from allied countries “stayed a little back” from frontlines in Afghanistan. His remarks drew sharp criticism from European leaders and lawmakers who defended the sacrifices made by NATO forces.
“I’ve always said, ‘Will they be there, if we ever needed them?’ And that’s really the ultimate test. And I’m not sure of that. I know that we would have been there, or we would be there, but will they be there?” Trump said during the interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Trump’s comments echo previous public statements, including a Truth Social post on January 7, where he questioned NATO’s reliability: “I DOUBT NATO WOULD BE THERE FOR US IF WE REALLY NEEDED THEM. We will always be there for NATO, even if they won’t be there for us.”
The remarks come amid rising tensions within the alliance following Trump’s repeated threats to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO member. Allies argue that such statements undermine decades of cooperation.
NATO’s Response
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking earlier in Davos, pushed back against Trump’s claims, emphasizing the alliance’s commitment during the Afghanistan conflict. “Let me tell you, they will [come to the rescue]. And they did in Afghanistan, as you know,” Rutte said, noting that for every two Americans who died in the conflict, one soldier from another NATO country also lost their life.
European and British Leaders Speak Out
Trump’s comments have sparked outrage in the U.K., where lawmakers stressed the sacrifices of British troops. Defense Secretary John Healey said, “NATO’s Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan. Those British troops should be remembered as heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.”
Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, called Trump’s remarks “an absolute insult,” while Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader in opposition, described them as “flat-out nonsense,” urging respect for allied contributions.
Historical Context
Since the U.S. invoked NATO’s Article 5 after the 9/11 attacks, allied forces have fought alongside American troops in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years. About 3,500 NATO and partner troops died in the conflict, including 2,456 Americans, 457 Britons, and over 40 Danes from a country with a population of roughly five million at the time.
Some members of the Trump administration have previously downplayed NATO allies’ sacrifices. In June, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force, “was not a lot of on the ground capability,” sparking criticism from military and diplomatic officials.
Trump’s latest remarks have reinforced perceptions among European partners that the U.S. president questions the reliability of longstanding alliances, further straining transatlantic relations as NATO faces ongoing global security challenges.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
