From NATO critic to supporter: Trump’s surprising alliance turnaround

President Donald Trump has made a surprising turnaround in his relationship with NATO, delivering a resounding endorsement of the alliance at the recent 2025 summit in The Hague. This shift marks a stark departure from his previous hostile rhetoric towards NATO allies, where he often criticized them for not meeting their defense spending commitments and even threatened to withdraw from the alliance altogether.

However, at this year’s summit, Trump was welcomed with open arms by Dutch royals and praised by the NATO secretary-general. He returned home with a newfound appreciation for European allies, commending them for their patriotism. The president’s change of heart comes as NATO nations have more than doubled their collective defense spending target, raising it from 2% to 5% of GDP.

One of the key factors contributing to Trump’s renewed embrace of NATO was the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which set back Tehran’s nuclear ambitions by several years. This show of strength was seen as a strategic warning not only to Iran but also to NATO adversaries like Russia and China.

Trump’s rocky road with NATO dates back to his 2016 campaign trail, where he called the alliance “obsolete” and criticized allies for not paying their fair share. Throughout his presidency, he continued to push for increased defense spending from NATO members, culminating in private threats to withdraw from the alliance at the 2018 Brussels summit.

Despite the drama and controversy surrounding Trump’s relationship with NATO, the 2025 summit in The Hague unfolded with surprising calm. Trump was hailed as the “man of the hour” and credited with driving real reform within the alliance through his blunt diplomacy.

Experts attribute NATO’s recent revitalization to two major catalysts: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Trump’s relentless pressure on allies to boost defense spending. By finally getting NATO allies to listen and increase their contributions, Trump has played a significant role in strengthening the alliance.

In conclusion, Trump’s newfound endorsement of NATO represents a significant shift in his foreign policy approach. By leveraging his unique diplomatic style and pushing allies to step up their defense spending, he has helped drive real reform within the alliance and bolstered its capabilities in the face of growing global threats.