Macron Criticizes Trump for Weakening NATO, Accuses Him of Starting a War That Fails to Solve Nuclear Issue

 

Macron Criticizes Trump for Weakening NATO, Accuses Him of Starting a War That Fails to Solve Nuclear Issue

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in Seoul during a state visit on Thursday, sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of undermining NATO and launching a war against Iran that does not resolve the country’s nuclear program.

Macron said Trump was “hollowing out” NATO by casting daily doubts on Washington’s commitment to the alliance. “It is a responsibility that U.S. authorities are assuming today by saying every morning: ‘We will do this, we won’t do that,’ or something of the sort,” Macron remarked. “Everyone needs stability, calm, a return to peace. This is not a spectacle.”

The French leader stressed that “seriousness” is required both in relation to NATO and the Middle East conflict. “When you want to be serious, you don’t contradict yourself every day,” he added, criticizing Trump’s communication strategy.

Trump’s NATO Threats

Trump has intensified threats to withdraw the United States from NATO, describing the alliance as a “paper tiger” and accusing allies of abandoning Washington by refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that the U.S. has spent “trillions” on NATO without sufficient return, criticizing members for failing to meet defense spending targets and even suggesting an increase to 5%.

The U.S. remains the only NATO country to have invoked Article 5 — the collective defense clause — after the September 11 attacks. Yet Trump has warned allies to secure their own oil supplies, hinting that America may choose between staying in NATO or controlling parts of Greenland.

Macron on the Iran Conflict

Macron also condemned the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, insisting it does not provide a lasting solution to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. “It is not a targeted military action, even for a few weeks, that will allow a durable resolution of the nuclear issue,” he said. Without a framework for diplomatic and technical negotiations, Macron warned, the situation could deteriorate again within months or years.

“Only through deep negotiations, an agreement, can we ensure long-term monitoring and preserve peace and stability for all,” he argued.

Background

On February 28, U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile infrastructure, claiming the need to eliminate Tehran’s capabilities. The nuclear issue has long strained relations: in 2015, Iran agreed to severe restrictions on its program in exchange for sanctions relief. In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, reimposing sanctions to cut Iran’s oil exports to zero.

In response, Iran began exceeding uranium enrichment limits and restricting inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Trump later claimed Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been “obliterated” following a joint offensive with Israel in June 2025.