Speaking during an interview in Davos, Switzerland, Trump suggested that the United States had 'never really needed' its NATO allies and claimed that troops from other NATO countries 'stayed a little back' from frontline combat in Afghanistan. The comments came amid ongoing tensions regarding NATO cooperation and Trump's controversial statements about the alliance's future role.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacted sharply to Trump's remarks, calling them 'insulting' and 'appalling.' Starmer emphasized that the sacrifices made by British and other NATO forces deserve respect and recognition. He stated that such comments are deeply hurtful to the families of service members who died or were wounded during the nearly 20‑year conflict.
Starmer expressed sympathy for those affected by the war and highlighted the shared history of cooperation between the United Kingdom and the United States. While he did not explicitly demand an official apology, his strong language suggested that such a step would be appropriate in light of the backlash.
The reaction was not limited to political leaders. Veterans of the Afghanistan campaign, as well as public figures like Prince Harry who served in Afghanistan spoke out against Trump's characterization of NATO forces. Critics pointed out that NATO's collective defence clause, Article 5, was invoked for the first time after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and allies responded alongside the U.S. to support operations in the region.
Many noted the actual human cost of the conflict: thousands of allied military personnel served in Afghanistan, with significant casualties and lasting impacts on families and communities across NATO countries.
In reaction to the criticism, a White House spokesperson defended the president's comments by stating that the United States has made substantial contributions to NATO and that his focus remains on encouraging allies to increase their defence responsibilities. However, this response did little to ease tensions with European partners.
Trump's remarks have reignited debates about the future of NATO and the strength of trans‑Atlantic alliances. With differing views on security commitments and shared defence responsibilities, the incident highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining strong cooperation among member states.
Rania Umutoni
