Can Trump really pull the US out of Nato – and what happens if he tries?

Team TOI Plus
Apr 2, 2026 | 19:45 IST
Illustration: AI

Trump says he is “absolutely” considering leaving Nato. But can a US president actually do it — and what would it mean for Europe, global security, and India if the alliance begins to unravel?

In recent days, Donald Trump has made little effort to conceal his irritation with Nato — or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. But can a US president actually pull the country out of the world’s largest military alliance?

Speaking to Reuters on April 1, Trump said he was “absolutely” considering withdrawing from the transatlantic bloc. In a separate interview with The Daily Telegraph, he said such a move should be “automatic”.
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