FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed miniature model of U.S. President Donald Trump with the NATO logo in the background is seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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CNBC TV1820-01-2026, 10:45

Trump's Greenland Standoff Rattles NATO: Can Alliance Survive Unpredictable America?

  • NATO, a 76-year-old alliance, faces an unprecedented internal test due to Donald Trump's questioning of US commitments and territorial claims over Greenland.
  • European allies fear Trump's stance signals a retreat from collective defense, exposing their dependence on US military power and raising doubts about guaranteed protection.
  • The dispute challenges Article Five, NATO's mutual defense guarantee, potentially weakening the alliance's credibility and leaving smaller states vulnerable to Russia.
  • European leaders debate strategic autonomy, with some advocating for independent defense capacity while others warn against duplicating and weakening NATO.
  • A potential NATO collapse would reshape global security, leading to US troop withdrawal, fragmented military planning, increased Russian influence, and a fractured Western bloc.

Why It Matters: Trump's actions are severely testing NATO's resilience, forcing allies to confront an uncertain future without guaranteed US support.

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