In a revealing interview with the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong doubts about the European Union’s willingness to support the United States in a potential conflict, contrasting it with his confidence in the United Kingdom’s loyalty.

Trump said he believed Britain would stand with the U.S. in times of war, but could not extend the same assurance to other NATO or EU member states. “I believe that the UK would fight with us,” Trump stated. “I’m not sure that a lot of the other countries would be.”

This perception, he noted, influenced his decision to withhold a trade agreement with the European Union, while opting to offer Britain certain exemptions from his administration’s aggressive tariff program. In contrast, Trump had threatened up to 30% tariffs on EU imports, citing economic and defense concerns.

Trump also reiterated his long-standing skepticism about NATO’s mutual defense commitment, even after the alliance agreed to increase defense spending. He questioned whether NATO countries would truly defend the U.S. if it were attacked, despite the fact that the alliance invoked Article 5 — its mutual defense clause — in support of the U.S. following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

While British troops did support the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq, Trump noted that the UK’s military has since scaled down in size.

The comments underscore ongoing tensions in transatlantic relations and reflect Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy, where strategic alliances are weighed heavily against perceived loyalty and military commitment.