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Trump Casts Doubt on EU Loyalty, Lauds UK as Reliable U.S. Ally in War Scenarios
Trump says he trusts the UK to back the U.S. in war, but doubts EU allies. NATO reliability in question, and EU trade deal stalls over loyalty concerns.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-15
Trump Casts Doubt on EU Loyalty, Lauds UK as Reliable U.S. Ally in War Scenarios

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited transatlantic tensions with bold remarks questioning the reliability of European Union countries in the event of a war involving the United States, while expressing confidence in the United Kingdom’s loyalty.

In an interview published by the BBC on Tuesday, Trump said he firmly believes Britain would fight alongside the U.S., but could not say the same for many other NATO members, remarks likely to stir unease in Brussels and within the NATO alliance.

“One of the problems with NATO, as I said, we have to fight for them, but will they actually fight for us if we had a war?” Trump asked rhetorically.

“I believe that the UK would fight with us. I think that they would be with us. I’m not sure that a lot of the other countries would be.”

Implications for NATO and Trade

Trump’s skepticism comes despite NATO countries pledging increased defense spending under pressure during his presidency. While NATO's Article 5 — which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all — has only ever been invoked after 9/11 to support the U.S., Trump appeared unconvinced of reciprocal commitment from all members.

His remarks carry economic implications too. Trump revealed that his lack of trust in EU allies was a factor in not signing a trade deal with the bloc. By contrast, he pointed to his warmer stance toward Britain as justification for offering tariff exemptions.

“That’s why I made a deal with [the UK]... I haven’t made a deal [with the EU]. I’ve made some other deals, but in terms of your competitors and in terms of the European Union, I haven’t made a deal,” he added.

Trump has threatened a 30% tariff on European goods, while extending more favorable terms to the UK — a divide that underscores shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities and trade alignments in a post-Brexit world.

Military Backdrop and Past Support

Although British troops have long supported the U.S. in major conflicts — notably in Afghanistan and Iraq — the UK’s military capabilities have since diminished. Its armed forces have significantly downsized in recent years, leading some defense analysts to question whether Britain could maintain its historical support role in a major future conflict.

Despite this, Trump’s public endorsement of the UK as a trusted wartime partner sends a strong geopolitical signal.

Reactions and Concerns

The remarks are likely to trigger strong reactions in EU capitals, especially among nations already concerned about the fraying of NATO unity and growing U.S. isolationism under Trump's “America First” rhetoric.

European diplomats have frequently voiced frustration at Trump's transactional approach to alliances — one that appears to be increasingly guided by perceived military loyalty rather than mutual values or treaties.

With NATO already under stress from Russian aggression, global instability, and internal disagreements, Trump's comments could further deepen strategic uncertainty ahead of the 2025 U.S. presidential election.

 
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Donald trump

NATO

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UKUSAlliance

TransatlanticTensions
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