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US President Donald Trump openly questioned the alliance with NATO and repeatedly threatened to leave. In an interview with FOCUS online, geopolitics expert Klemens Fischer classifies what Trump expects from his initiatives.
So it is conceivable that Trump deliberately setting a trap for NATO in order to later complain about a lack of support and then withdraw. “A very interesting approach,” says Fischer. “But that would mean that Trump is already planning the next step, because that is of course a question that he can no longer decide entirely on his own.”
“Trump has not made a formal request to NATO”
A NATO exit affects all of America, which is why the US Congress has a say. Trump must “above all look for a reason.” Fisherman put into perspective: “What we shouldn’t forget is that Trump didn’t make a formal request for support from NATO. He simply said from the Oval Office that it would be nice if NATO supported him now. (…) If he doesn’t take this step (the request), then he will have a very difficult time justifying to Congress that NATO has abandoned him. (…) So far it’s actually more of a discussion that has been conducted through the media.”
In principle, the expert does not currently see the USA leaving NATO as likely. Such a step is technically possible, but would have significant disadvantages – also for Washington itself. “But that also means that the USA would lose its grip on the other NATO members,” said Fischer.
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