Trump does not often compliment others, yet there is a notable exception — Mark Rutte. As the NATO chief prepares to meet Trump on Wednesday, the question arises: might the US president one day declare “goodbye” to the alliance? Let’s examine the official regulations.

According to the 1949 NATO treaty, the withdrawal procedure appears straightforward. A member country must submit an official notice, and after one year, membership ends.

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However, US internal law tells a different tale. In 2023, new legislation was enacted which blocks any president from unilaterally pulling out.

For United States President Donald Trump to lawfully exit, a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate or a specific congressional act is required.

While no country has ever completely left NATO, France came quite close.

Back in 1966, President Charles de Gaulle removed France from NATO’s military command. American forces were ordered off French territory, forcing NATO to relocate its headquarters from Paris to Brussels.

France only rejoined the military command over four decades later, in 2009.

Still, even if Trump cannot easily leave the alliance, analysts caution he could adopt a similar approach by diminishing Washington’s involvement.

Measures might include drastic budget cuts, pulling key personnel, or outright ignoring the mutual defense obligations.

If the US remains in NATO solely in name, labeling it a “paper tiger,” the alliance could be seen as internally weakened, having compromised its most critical strength: credibility.

See the full report in the Euronews video player above.