European leaders are expressing growing concern about the possibility of the United States withdrawing from NATO, according to an editor from The Economist magazine.

The concerns stem from reports that former President Donald Trump is considering pulling the U.S. out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Trump has previously criticized NATO member countries for not meeting defense spending commitments and has questioned the alliance's value to American interests.

According to The Economist editor, European officials are now contemplating what they describe as a potential "divorce" from the military alliance that has been a cornerstone of transatlantic security since 1949. The NATO alliance currently includes 31 member countries across North America and Europe.

The United States has been NATO's largest contributor, providing significant military capabilities and funding to the alliance. A U.S. withdrawal would represent a fundamental shift in the organization's structure and capabilities, potentially requiring European members to substantially increase their own defense spending and military commitments.

NATO was established in the aftermath of World War II as a collective defense agreement, with Article 5 stating that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members. The alliance has invoked this mutual defense clause only once, following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.