Donald Trump considering pulling out of Nato as he blasts UK for 'not even having a navy'

Oliver Partridge
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:09:07 +0000

Donald Trump has revealed he is giving serious thought to withdrawing the United States from NATO, branding the transatlantic alliance a "paper tiger."

The President's remarks represent the clearest indication yet that Washington no longer views its European partners as dependable allies in matters of defence.

His comments to the Telegraph follow the refusal of NATO members to comply with his demands for the deployment of naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz - as part of his administration's military campaign against Iran.

When questioned about whether he might reconsider America's membership of the alliance once the current conflict concludes, Mr Trump responded: "Oh yes, I would say it's beyond reconsideration.

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"I was never swayed by Nato. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way".

The president's invocation of the Russian leader suggests he believes the Kremlin has long recognised what he perceives as fundamental weaknesses within the Western military bloc.

The president singled out Britain for particular criticism, rebuking Sir Keir Starmer for keeping the country out of the American-Israeli military operation.

Mr Trump remarked: "You don't even have a navy. You're too old and had aircraft carriers that didn't work", taking aim at the condition of Britain's warship fleet.

When asked whether the Prime Minister ought to increase defence expenditure, the president was dismissive.

"I'm not going to tell him what to do. He can do whatever he wants. It doesn't matter. All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof".

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the president's frustrations, describing NATO as a "one-way street" during a Fox News appearance on Tuesday.

Mr Rubio criticised allied nations for refusing to grant American forces access to their military bases, and said Washington would need to reassess its commitment to the alliance once hostilities concluded.

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"If Nato is just about us defending Europe if they're attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, that's not a very good arrangement. That's a hard one to stay engaged in," the Secretary of State said.

"I think there's no doubt, unfortunately, after this conflict is concluded, we are going to have to re-examine that relationship".

Mr Trump confirmed he was "glad" his top diplomat had made the remarks.

Senior administration figures have reportedly advocated for a "pay-to-play model" within NATO that would exclude non-compliant members from key decisions - a hinderance to the US if such a move is made.

The tensions come amid Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies typically pass.

The blockade has persisted for weeks, causing energy prices worldwide to surge and raising fears of an international recession.

Mr Trump is scheduled to address the nation at 2am BST on Thursday, to update the public on the conflict's progress.

He indicated on Tuesday evening that the war could conclude within two to three weeks, with the sole objective being to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The president is also said to be weighing the removal of American troops from Germany.