Trump calls US-Nato ties 'one-sided', says alliance is 'not reciprocal'

US President Donald Trump on Thursday described the United States' relationship with Nato as "one-sided" and "not reciprocal", saying it was "ridiculous" for Washington to continue shouldering a disproportionate share of the alliance's burden ahead of next week's Nato summit in Ankara.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump argued that the US had not received equal support from its Nato allies.

"Ridiculous for the U.S.A. to continue along this one sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal. They were not there for us!!!" Trump wrote.

The US president has repeatedly criticised European allies over their response to the conflict with Iran, arguing that several countries restricted the use of military bases by US forces during the war.

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Trump calls for Europe to take greater defence role

Trump has consistently maintained that European nations should take primary responsibility for their own defence. His administration has also begun scaling back some US security commitments.

His Truth Social post included a chart comparing NATO members' defence spending, highlighting that the United States spends significantly more than several other alliance members.

Nato summit scheduled for July 7-8

Under pressure from Trump, Nato leaders agreed last year to increase defence-related spending to five percent of GDP by 2035.

The upcoming Nato summit, bringing together leaders of the alliance's 32 member states, is scheduled to take place in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on July 7-8.

Founded in 1949, Nato has long served as a US-led military alliance and has been credited with maintaining European security during the Cold War while strengthening Washington's global strategic influence.