Donald Trump asserted on Truth Social today that China and Russia have "zero fear" of NATO without the United States, reigniting debate over the U.S.'s role in the alliance and its financial contributions. The former president's comments followed criticism from European allies after the White House explored acquiring Greenland.

Trump wrote in an all-caps post that NATO was dependent on the U.S. to survive, adding, "I doubt NATO would be there for us if we really needed them." He stated, "We will always be there for NATO, even if they wont be there for us," and claimed that China and Russia only fear and respect the "DJT REBUILT U.S.A."

Trump also highlighted his efforts to increase defense spending among NATO members, stating that he pushed for them to raise their contributions from 2% to 5% of GDP last year. "Most werent paying their bills, UNTIL I CAME ALONG," he wrote.

NATO, established in 1949, is a military alliance between North American and European countries based on the principle of collective defense. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The alliance has been a cornerstone of transatlantic security for decades, but its relevance and burden-sharing arrangements have been subjects of ongoing discussion, particularly during Trump's presidency.

Trump's repeated criticisms of NATO and his questioning of the U.S.'s commitment to the alliance raised concerns among allies about the future of transatlantic relations. His administration consistently pressed NATO members to meet the agreed-upon target of spending 2% of their GDP on defense, arguing that the U.S. was carrying a disproportionate share of the burden.

While some allies have increased their defense spending in recent years, others continue to fall short of the 2% target. The debate over burden-sharing within NATO is likely to continue, particularly as geopolitical tensions rise and the alliance faces new challenges, such as cyber warfare and disinformation campaigns. The current status of defense spending among NATO members varies, with some nations exceeding the 2% target and others still working towards it. The issue is expected to be a key topic of discussion at future NATO summits.