Elon Musk has openly advocated for the United States to withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), arguing that it is unfair for America to bear the cost of Europe’s defense.
Musk Supports US Withdrawal from NATO
The billionaire, who co-chairs the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), made his stance clear while responding to an X post demanding the US to “Exit NATO now!”. Agreeing with the post, Musk replied, “We really should.”
On March 2, he had also supported another X post that suggested the US should leave both NATO and the United Nations (UN). He responded to the post by simply stating, “I agree.”
NATO’s Future Remains Uncertain
Musk’s remarks come at a time when NATO’s future is under scrutiny, as the military alliance prepares to mark its 76th anniversary in April. According to NBC, on March 6, US President Donald Trump discussed the idea of adjusting America’s engagement with NATO. He suggested that only those member countries that meet a specific defense spending requirement should benefit from US military support.
Trump: No Payment, No Protection
Trump has made it clear that he expects NATO allies to contribute their fair share toward defense spending. He stated, “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them. No, I’m not going to defend them.” His comments, reported by Bloomberg, emphasize his belief that nations should pay their dues to ensure military protection.
Europe Scrambles to Increase Defense Budget
Europe, which significantly reduced its military strength after the Cold War, remains heavily dependent on the US for intelligence, logistics, and military leadership. In response to growing concerns, EU leaders gathered in Brussels for an emergency summit to discuss a major increase in defense spending.
A proposal by the European Commission suggests providing €150 billion ($162.5 billion) in loans to member states for military funding. Additionally, EU nations may be allowed to allocate €650 billion over four years from their national budgets for defense, without facing financial penalties.
Legal Challenges to US NATO Withdrawal
Despite Musk’s call for the US to leave NATO, current laws make it difficult for any president to unilaterally exit the alliance. Under a 2023 law, withdrawing from NATO would require either a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate or an act of Congress.
Meanwhile, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding US foreign policy, stating, “In the last weeks, we’ve seen what I would call quite a turbulent development. It’s still not perhaps very clear what finally will be the American strategy.”
