European Leaders Consider NATO Separation After Trump's Reported Withdrawal Threat

President Donald Trump has long criticized NATO and is reportedly considering pulling the United States out of the alliance. U.S. efforts in the Iran conflict, including a request to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. actions against Iranian targets. Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, discussed these developments on CNN's 'Global Public Square' with Fareed Zakaria on Monday. She stated that European leaders are coming to terms with the possibility of a true 'divorce' within NATO.

Beddoes noted that European nations rejected Trump's request for military support in the strait.

Remarks Beddoes described European leaders as enraged by Trump's recent comments, which included calling them cowards. She highlighted that NATO's Article 5 was invoked after the September 11, 2001, attacks, leading to thousands of European and NATO forces serving in Afghanistan.

European countries rely heavily on fossil fuels from the Gulf region, raising concerns about energy needs and economic impacts from the Iran standoff.

“They’re furious about being called cowards and other insults by the president of the United States when, remember, you know, the only time NATO’s Article 5 has been invoked was after 9/11 and thousands of Europeans and NATO forces served with distinction in Afghanistan.”

Beddoes added that U.S. officials, including the president and secretary of state, have indicated that NATO is finished. She observed a growing realization in Europe, even among countries optimistic about U.S. relations, that the situation may differ this time.