Donald Trump’s former national security adviser has warned the US president’s threat to withdraw from NATO remains on his agenda, despite the alliance pledging to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
John Bolton was speaking after Trump held highly-anticipated talks at the White House with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Over past weeks, the US president repeatedly slammed countries in the western alliance for not supporting American military operations against Iran.
US withdrawal from NATO ‘possible’
Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Trump’s first administration, was asked on Today this morning whether the president could pull the US from NATO.
He replied “it’s possible” , explaining there’s “always a risk” of the US, the world’s post powerful military power, exiting the western alliance under Trump.
Bolton has previously said Trump may withdraw American troops from NATO missions in Europe.
NATO, formally known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, was established in 1949 with 12 core member countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, France and Denmark, and has since expanded to 32 members.
Trump has repeatedly raised concerns with NATO since his first term as president, criticising other alliance countries as free loaders too reliant on the massive American defence budget.
But pulling the US from NATO is not so simple for any American president.
Under a law passed in 2023 such a move would require approval from Congress, where many members are diehard supporters of the defence pact.
‘Very frank’ meeting
In the weeks leading up to yesterday’s meeting, Trump described NATO as a “paper tiger” for its unwillingness to join the Iran war, or permit US forces the use of their bases.
He continued his criticism after holding behind-closed-door discussions with Rutte yesterday.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Two European diplomats familiar with their discussion told CNN, the US president pushed for urgent concrete measures from NATO members to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
One fifth of the world’s oil shipments go through the waterway.
Rutte, speaking after his White House visit, said Trump was “clearly disappointed” that the US’ allies had not joined the Iran conflict.
He described their talks as a “very frank, very open” discussion between “two good friends”.
But the NATO chief also said 34 nations, including Australia, were now building an international coalition to reopen the strait.