Germany's Wadephul voices concern over Trump's threat to leave NATO

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has voiced concern over comments by US President Donald Trump about a possible US withdrawal from NATO.

"Of course such statements concern me," Germany's top diplomat told the Funke media group. But he also said he believed a US exit from the alliance could still be averted.

"I think that our clear commitment and our determined support for the alliance will convince the United States to continue this success story together," he said.

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently again threatened that the US would leave NATO over allies' refusal to get involved in the war in Iran.

Asked by the British newspaper The Telegraph whether he would reconsider NATO membership, Trump said: "Oh yes, I would say [it's] beyond reconsideration."

Trump is annoyed that various NATO members are not supporting the war started by the US and Israel against Iran.

Wadephul said NATO was of "enormous importance" to the security of Germany and all other allies and argued that the alliance was stronger than ever before. He pointed to the accession of Sweden and Finland and to the commitment by Europeans to spend 5% of economic output on defence.

The foreign minister also noted that Trump could not decide on a NATO withdrawal on his own. "He would need at least the approval of the Senate," Wadephul said.

Trump has recently faced bipartisan pushback from the US Senate over his remarks.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, Democrat Chris Coons and Republican Mitch McConnell, the former Senate majority leader, wrote that US citizens were safer when NATO was strong.

"The Senate will continue to support the alliance for the peace and protection it provides America, Europe, and the world," the statement said.