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U.S. allies grapple with strained ties after Trump remarks on NATO sacrifices.
MLN -24 JAN 2026:U.S. allies are reassessing relations with Washington after President Donald Trump’s comments questioning the sacrifices made by NATO partners prompted sharp criticism from European leaders,
In an interview Thursday with Fox Business, Trump downplayed allied contributions to NATO missions, saying partners “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.” The remarks drew swift backlash, particularly in countries that lost hundreds of troops during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the comments “insulting and frankly appalling.” More than 450 British troops and over 150 Canadian troops were killed in Afghanistan, according to official figures.
The White House defended Trump’s remarks. Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said, “President Trump is right – America’s contributions to NATO dwarf that of other countries,” adding that the administration’s push for higher defense spending was helping Europe “take greater responsibility for its own defense,” according to multiple media outlets.
The dispute has added to broader tensions between the United States and its traditional allies. Trump’s recent suggestions that the U.S. could use tariffs or military force to gain control of Greenland unsettled NATO members, even after he later backed away from those threats.
Former U.S. defense officials rejected Trump’s characterization of allied contributions. “They bled like we did,” said Jim Townsend, a former deputy assistant secretary of Defense, speaking to the BBC.
In Europe, officials have warned that the relationship with Washington has entered a more uncertain phase. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week that the world was experiencing “a rupture, not a transition,” urging countries to build new coalitions based on shared values.
Despite the friction, analysts say most allies see no alternative to continued engagement with Washington. “Ultimately, our geography dictates that we have to engage with the United States,” said Kyle Harrietha, a former senior aide in the Canadian government.
Former U.S. Ambassador Daniel Fried told the BBC that while the current tensions may not permanently damage NATO, they could have lasting consequences for Trump’s relations with European leaders.
