Donald Trump is reportedly considering “punishing” some NATO members whom he deemed “unhelpful” during the US-Israeli war over Iran.
According to reports, the US President and his administration will withdraw US troops from some NATO countries and move them to other countries that are more “supportive”. wall street journal.
The proposal – which is reportedly in “early concept” – would fall short of Trump’s threats to withdraw from the alliance altogether.
By LawHe will not be able to remove America from NATO without Congress.
This comes as Trump was reportedly considering leaving the alliance as he met with NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday.
It is not yet known what the pair talked about in the high-stakes meeting at the White House.
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Rutte reportedly entered the West Wing through a side gate, before the doors were closed tightly behind him for the top-secret negotiations.
The former Dutch Prime Minister only revealed that he had a “frank and open” discussion with Trump as the US leader expressed his frustration with America’s allies.
“All European countries did not live up to those commitments and I completely understand that he is disappointed by that,” Rutte told CNN during an interview after the meeting.
He added: “I was also able to point to the fact that the vast majority of European countries have been helpful, with basing, with logistics, with overflights, to ensure that they meet the commitments.”
Rutte said he thought the meeting was between “friends”.
“I really admire his leadership and he knows what he did at the NATO summit in The Hague last year was important,” he said.
According to White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt, Trump previously said that with Iran, “NATO was tested and they failed”.
Before the meeting, Leavitt said, “It is sad that NATO has turned its back on the American people, when the American people are the ones funding their defense”.
He said there would be “candid and frank conversations” between Trump and Rutte.
The US President has repeatedly labeled the coalition a “paper tiger” during its war in Iran, and has criticized the allies for not coming to his aid in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said last week he was on the verge of quitting NATO after the alliance’s “terrible” showing of support in the Middle East.
The US President also branded his allies “cowards” in late March and said: “Without the United States, nato There is a paper tiger! They did not want to join the fight to stop nuclear-armed Iran.
“Now that battle has been won militarily, there is very little threat to them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but do not want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military move which is the sole reason for high oil prices.
“It’s much easier for them to do that, with much less risk. Cowards, and we will remember!”
Trump had asked for help reopening the vital shipping lane, urging allies including Britain to send warships to the strait, later claiming he did not need or want any assistance.
Experts warned The Sun last week that pulling the US out of NATO would be one of the “worst crises in the alliance’s history” and cause months of panic.
