• Donald Trump privately reassured NATO allies during summit talks in Ankara that he intends for the United States to remain in the alliance, according to a person familiar with the discussions.
  • The message aims to allay concerns over Trump's past criticisms of burden-sharing and his threats to withdraw, as European members ramp up defense spending.
  • The closed-door commitment comes amid ongoing tensions over U.S. leadership and European strategic autonomy.

Ankara Reassurances

During the NATO summit in Ankara, Donald Trump conveyed to several allied leaders that he wants the U.S. to stay in the alliance, a source familiar with the talks told Bloomberg. The comments, made in bilateral meetings, were intended to reassure counterparts who have been rattled by Trump's previous musings about exiting NATO or scaling back commitments.

“He made clear to a number of leaders that the U.S. is committed to NATO, and that he sees the alliance as crucial,” the person said, asking not to be identified discussing private conversations. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The revelation offers a nuanced picture of Trump's stance on the military alliance. While he has repeatedly lambasted allies for failing to meet defense spending targets and has suggested the U.S. might not defend those who fall short, his private words signal a desire to maintain the transatlantic bond.

European Defense Push

NATO allies have been scrambling to address Trump's demands, with several European members announcing increased defense budgets. The alliance is expected to announce that more than 20 members will hit the 2% of GDP spending target this year, up from just a handful a decade ago.

“The Europeans are stepping up,” said a senior European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But the question remains whether it will be enough to satisfy Washington.”

Still, the friction has fueled debates about European strategic autonomy. Some officials argue that reliance on U.S. guarantees is unsustainable if American commitment appears conditional.

Market and Defense Industry Impact

The uncertainty over U.S. commitment has weighed on defense stocks and prompted European governments to fast-track procurement. Shares of Rheinmetall and BAE Systems have risen this year on expectations of higher European spending, while U.S. defense contractors like Lockheed Martin have seen muted gains due to potential force posture shifts.

Analysts say a clear U.S. commitment could stabilize the sector, but the underlying push for European self-reliance is unlikely to reverse.

Fragile Unity

Trump’s latest comments may provide temporary relief, but deep divisions remain. The alliance is grappling with how to support Ukraine amid stalled U.S. aid packages and European reluctance to commit more than they already have. The summit in Ankara, originally meant to focus on deterrence and Ukraine, has been dominated by alliance cohesion.

“The fact that we even need these reassurances shows how brittle the trust has become,” said a former NATO official.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the location of the summit as Ankara; it was held in Istanbul. This has been corrected.