Musk Backs US NATO Exit as EU Confronts New Reality
Elon Musk, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, has endorsed the United States’ withdrawal from NATO, stating on his social media platform that it “doesn’t make sense for America to pay for the defence of Europe.”
Despite Musk’s and Trump’s criticisms of NATO and the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed on Sunday that the EU still considers the US an ally.
Musk was responding to a post on X early Sunday that urged, “Exit NATO now!” to which he replied, “We really should.”
European Commission Chief Emphasizes ‘Common Interests’ with Washington
Musk’s remarks come at a time when NATO, which will mark its 76th anniversary in April, faces uncertainty over its future.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs on the European Union, and his stance on Ukraine, which appears aligned with Russia, has unsettled European officials. His statements have also raised concerns about the US’s security commitments to Europe under NATO.
When asked at a press conference whether Brussels should reassess its approach to Washington, von der Leyen responded with a “clear no.”
“Yes, there are differences… but our common interests always outweigh them,” she said. “We will have our disagreements, and we must resolve them.”
Speaking more broadly, von der Leyen noted that global relations have become increasingly transactional.
She highlighted a growing sense of urgency within the 27-member EU, emphasizing that “something fundamental has shifted. Our European values—democracy, freedom, the rule of law—are under threat.”
When specifically asked about the future of transatlantic relations, von der Leyen acknowledged that while the US remains an ally, “the pattern of the last 25 to 30 years may no longer be the right one.”
She described the evolving US-EU dynamic as “a strong wake-up call” and stressed that now is Europe’s moment “to step up in defence and adopt the necessary posture.”
The EU has already signaled its intention to strengthen its defence capabilities. At an EU summit on Thursday, member states agreed to mobilize approximately 800 billion euros to boost defence spending—an action long encouraged by Washington, von der Leyen said.
“We are allies, but all allies must take responsibility,” she added.
In the coming weeks, she plans to convene the EU’s first-ever meeting of commissioners focused on security-related matters, including defence, energy, cybersecurity, trade, and foreign interference.
