While en route to the NATO summit, President Donald Trump declined to say whether he would uphold the alliance’s mutual defense agreement, instead offering a vague assurance that he would “be their friend.”
Trump has long criticized NATO, often accusing allied nations of not spending enough on their own defense and previously suggesting that the U.S. might not honor NATO’s key Article 5 provision unless financial obligations are met.
During a press briefing aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, Trump fielded questions from reporters, including one from Reuters’ Jeff Mason, who asked whether he remained committed to Article 5 — the NATO principle that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
Rather than giving a clear answer, Trump claimed that the meaning of Article 5 depends on interpretation.
“Depends on your definition. There’s numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right?” Trump said.
“But I’m committed to being their friends. You know, I’ve become friends with many of those leaders, and I’m committed to helping them.”
When pressed again to clarify whether he supported mutual defense, Trump sidestepped the question, saying:
“I’m committed to saving lives. I’m committed to life and safety. And I’m going to give you an exact definition when I get there. I just don’t want to do it on the back of an airplane.”
Trump’s evasive remarks are likely to raise concern among NATO members, particularly in Europe, where leaders are watching closely to see whether the U.S. will maintain its longstanding commitment to the alliance’s collective defense.
Watch the full exchange above via the White House.
