Trump ends free foreign aid, demands allies pay full cost for military support (but not Israel)

07/16/2025 / By Ramon Tomey

Trump declared the U.S. will no longer provide free military assistance to allies, demanding full reimbursement for defense aid to rectify decades of “being ripped off.” His policy marks a sharp break from post-World War II norms of using aid for geopolitical influence.
An upcoming arms deal for Ukraine – including Patriot missiles – will now require Kyiv to pay market rates, reflecting Trump’s push for financial reciprocity amid global tensions. Critics warn this could strain alliances; supporters argue it ensures wealthier allies (e.g., NATO members) pay their fair share.
The policy aligns with Trump’s first-term doctrine, pressuring NATO to meet defense spending targets and renegotiating trade deals. A meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will address Ukraine and alliance spending.
Despite demands for allies to repay aid, Trump excludes Israel – ensuring continued U.S. military support for its operations against Palestinians. This raises questions about whether he prioritizes America or Israel.
While Trump frames the shift as fiscal responsibility, opponents argue conditioning aid on payment could weaken U.S. global influence and empower adversaries like Russia or China.

President Donald Trump announced that America will no longer provide free military aid to allies, insisting that nations receiving defense assistance must fully reimburse Washington.

He issued this declaration in a post on Truth Social Monday, July 14. According to the chief executive, trillions in unrecovered costs from trade and military agreements have left the U.S. at a strategic and economic disadvantage.

Trump emphasized that America’s era as a benefactor was over, noting that “it is just not sustainable any longer – and never was.” He continued: “Countries should sit back and say, ‘Thank you for the many years’ long free ride.'”

His Monday remarks on Truth Social followed comments he made the previous day. “They are going to pay us 100 percent for that, and that’s the way we want it,” he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on the evening of Sunday, June 13.

Trump’s stance coincides with an impending arms deal for Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems. This time around, Kyiv is expected to pay market rates. The move – framed as a corrective to decades of “being ripped off” – signals a hardline push for financial reciprocity in an era of escalating global tensions. (Related: Trump orders 90-day pause on almost all foreign aid – including the billions being sent to Ukraine.)

Trump’s double standard: NATO must pay, but Israel’s aid stays

The policy marks a stark departure from post-World War II norms, where U.S. aid often functioned as a tool of geopolitical influence. On one hand, critics warn that conditioning support on payment could strain alliances and embolden adversaries.

On the other hand, supporters argue it forces wealthy allies – particularly members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – to shoulder their fair share. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to meet Trump, with Ukraine’s defense and alliance spending topping the agenda.

Historical context underscores the stakes. Since the Marshall Plan, America has leveraged aid to cement alliances and contain rivals, from Cold War Europe to modern-day Middle Eastern conflicts.

Trump’s transactional approach echoes his first-term “America First” doctrine, which sought to renegotiate trade deals and pressure NATO members to meet defense spending targets. Legal and political hurdles remain, but the message is clear: The free ride is over.

Or is it? Trump’s remarks about making allies pay up don’t include Israel. The Jewish nation can still rely on Washington for military aid to continue its genocide against the Palestinian people. This brings one serious question: Is Trump truly America First, or is he revealing his true colors as an “Israel First” president?

Watch Lt. Col. Daniel Davis explaining why President Trump has to take care of America’s needs first in this Newsmax interview.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.