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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended NATO as the “single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen” after U.S. President Donald Trump said he is “strongly considering” pulling the United States out of the bloc.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Starmer said NATO “has kept us safe for many decades” and stressed that the United Kingdom remains fully committed to the alliance.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with the Telegraph, where he described NATO as a “paper tiger” and suggested U.S. membership could be reconsidered after the war with Iran.
“Oh yes, I would say it’s beyond reconsideration,” Trump said, adding that he had long believed the alliance was ineffective.
His comments followed disagreements with allied nations that refused to support the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, escalating tensions within the alliance.
Trump also criticized Starmer in the interview over Britain’s refusal to join the war and questioned the country’s naval capabilities.
Responding to the remarks, Starmer said he would act in the British national interest regardless of external pressure.
“Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions I make,” he said.
He reiterated that the Iran conflict is “not our war” and said the United Kingdom would not be drawn into it.
At the same time, Starmer emphasized the need for closer ties with Europe on defense, security, and economic matters.
The comments come amid growing uncertainty over the future of NATO, a 77-year-old transatlantic alliance, as divisions deepen among Western allies over the war and broader security issues.
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