All eyes are on US President Donald Trump’s expected address at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, January 21, as global leaders grapple with
heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over the future of transatlantic alliances. Ahead of the speech, Trump reignited debate over NATO burden-sharing, questioning whether the alliance would come to the United States’ defence despite Washington’s substantial financial contributions. In a statement posted on X, Trump said he had done more for NATO than any individual in history, arguing that his pressure on member states forced allies to increase defence spending. “I did more for NATO than anybody alive or dead,” Trump wrote. “Nobody’s done more for NATO, and I think you could ask the secretary general about that. We said it very strongly.” While Trump acknowledged that NATO had treated the United States “fairly,” he expressed doubts about the alliance’s reciprocity in a crisis involving the US. “The big fear I have with NATO is we spent tremendous amounts of money with NATO, and we know we will come to their rescue,” he said. “But I really do question whether they would come to ours.” Trump has long criticised NATO members for failing to meet defence spending targets and has repeatedly suggested that US security guarantees should be conditional on allies’ financial contributions. His remarks come as NATO remains deeply engaged in supporting Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war, and as concerns grow over the future direction of US foreign policy ahead of the presidential election.
US plans to cut about 200 NATO positions
The United States plans to cut the number of personnel stationed at several key NATO command centres, a step that could deepen European concerns about Washington’s commitment to the alliance, according to three sources familiar with the matter, according to a report by Reuters.
As part of the move, which the Trump administration has conveyed to some European capitals, the United States will cut roughly 200 positions from NATO bodies responsible for overseeing and planning the alliance’s military and intelligence operations, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity, according to a report by Reuters.
The affected bodies include the UK-based NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre and the Allied Special Operations Forces Command in Brussels, the sources said. STRIKFORNATO, based in Portugal and responsible for some maritime operations, will also see cuts, along with several other NATO entities.
Trump reposts message identifying NATO as a threat
The planned changes are small relative to the size of the US military presence in Europe and do not necessarily indicate a broader shift away from the continent. About 80,000 US military personnel are stationed in Europe, nearly half of them in Germany, according to a report by Reuters.
Even so, the moves are likely to heighten anxiety among European allies about the future of the alliance, concerns that are already elevated amid US President Donald Trump’s renewed campaign to press Denmark over Greenland, raising the unprecedented prospect of territorial pressure within NATO.
