In an interview with Nigel Farage for British TV channel GB News, President Donald Trump assured that the United States would remain a part of NATO "100 percent" under his leadership, as long as European countries "play fair." The interview, set to air on Tuesday evening, served to allay concerns among Western leaders who feared that Trump might formally withdraw the U.S. from the transatlantic alliance if reelected later this year.

Trump, who has been openly critical of NATO for years, warned European nations not to "take advantage" of American support. Last month, he caused further unease when he stated that he would "encourage" Russia to act as it pleased with NATO countries that did not meet their financial obligations to the alliance.

However, in his discussion with Farage, Trump tempered his rhetoric while reasserting the importance of Europe bearing its share of defense costs. Emphasizing the significance of the United States, Trump stated, "NATO has to treat the U.S. fairly, because if it's not for the United States, NATO literally doesn't even exist."

When asked if the U.S. would come to the aid of NATO countries under attack, Trump unequivocally affirmed their support. He indicated that the United States should pay its "fair share" rather than shouldering the burden for others. Additionally, Trump highlighted the geographical advantage of the United States, stating, "We have an ocean in between some problems... we have a nice big, beautiful ocean."

Data from NATO reveals that around two-thirds of its 32 member countries now meet the alliance's target level of defense spending, which is 2 percent or more of their GDP. Throughout his tenure, Trump consistently pressed transatlantic allies, particularly Germany, to increase their defense expenditures.

Concerns over the reliability of the U.S. commitment to European security have grown in Europe, particularly in light of Trump's reelection bid and the political gridlock in Washington concerning aid to Ukraine against Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion.

While Trump repeatedly voiced threats of leaving the alliance during his presidency, he never followed through on those statements. His recent remarks may help assuage worries about the U.S.'s long-standing dedication to European security, but the future of NATO's relationship with the United States remains uncertain.