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U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a “pay-to-play model” for NATO that could block allies from decision-making, including decisions related to war, according to a report by The Telegraph citing sources close to the president.
“The frustration we’ve had with the Europeans has been very real,” an administration source said.
“Any country that’s not paying 5% shouldn’t be allowed to vote on future expenditures at NATO," the source added.
Under proposals reportedly being considered by Trump, NATO allies that do not meet the new defense spending target could be excluded from decisions on expansion, joint missions, and triggering NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause.
“You shouldn’t be able to vote to spend future money if you’re not paying,” a U.S. source added, according to the report.
All NATO member states now spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense, a target set in 2014. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said leaders would have to present plans for reaching the next target of 5% at a summit in Ankara later this year.
The Telegraph also reported that Trump is weighing the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany, a possibility his administration has considered since he took office last year.
The report said Trump had previously considered withdrawing around 35,000 active personnel from Germany, a move that could further strain U.S.-Europe relations.
Trump recently escalated criticism of NATO allies at a Saudi-backed investment summit, accusing the alliance of abandoning the United States during its military campaign against Iran and questioning whether Washington should continue defending European countries.
He mentioned French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz by name, calling them “friends” but criticizing their stance that the Iran conflict is not their war.
Trump’s remarks raised questions about the future of transatlantic security cooperation, NATO cohesion, and the alliance’s collective defense structure.
Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative summit in Miami on Friday, Trump said NATO allies failed to support U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide military assistance during the war with Iran.
“I think a tremendous mistake was when NATO just wasn't there; they just weren't there,” Trump said.
“I've always said NATO is a paper tiger. And I always said, we help NATO, but they'll never help us.”
“And if the big one ever happened, and I don't think it will, but if the big one ever happened, I guarantee you, they wouldn't be there,” he added.
Trump said the United States spends “hundreds of billions of dollars a year” on NATO defense contributions, adding: “And we would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?”
“Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us? They weren't there for us,” he said.
The debate comes as regional escalation continues following the U.S. and Israeli offensive against Iran launched on Feb. 28, which has killed over 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
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