US President Donald Trump has questioned his willingness to defend Washington’s NATO allies, saying he wouldn’t do so if they didn’t pay enough for their own defense.
“That’s common sense, right,” Trump told reporters in the oval office. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to protect them. No, I’m not going to protect them.”
Trump said he had been the view for many years and shared it with his NATO allies during his 2017-2021 presidential term. These efforts have increased spending from other members of the 75-year-old Transatlantic Alliance, but he said, “it’s still not enough.”
He added: “They should pay more.”
The mutual support clause is at the heart of the NATO Alliance, formed in 1949 with the main purpose of countering the risk of Soviet attacks on combined territory.
Trump’s remarks could raise alarm bells in the European-to-Asia capital. There, after President Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Voldy Mil Zelensky and showed his willingness to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders were already worried about withdrawing US security assistance.
Earlier on Thursday, the European leaders involved supported plans to spend more on defense and committed to continuing their support for Ukraine.
“Some people may have concerns about NATO’s future,” said NATO Executive Director Mark Latte. “So let me be clear, transatlantic relations and transatlantic partnership remain the foundation of our alliance. President Trump has made clear to himself the US commitment and his commitment to NATO, and has also made clear his hopes that we in Europe must do more in terms of defence spending.”
In the oval office, Trump said that NATO members were his friends, but questioned whether France or “other couples” would protect the United States at a crisis moment.
“Do you know the biggest problem I have with NATO? I really, I know the guys very well. They are my friends. But if the US is in trouble and we call them, we said, “We have problems, France. We have problems, some other things I don’t mention. Do you think they’re going to come and protect us?” They are supposed to do so. I’m not sure. ”
The alliance has come to US aid since September 11th. This is the only time in history where defense guarantees have been invoked. Article 5 was called after the attack on the Twin Towers in 2001, leading to NATO’s biggest venture in Afghanistan. French troops took part in the operation.
Trump on Thursday said what he saw as something that could fix the spending issue was “potentially good” and NATO was “potentially good.” “They’re ruining us with trade,” he said of the Security Alliance.
Trump’s comments slandering NATO are largely in line with his long-standing criticism of the alliance, but they have raised concerns in the Western world about Trump’s cozy relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long seen NATO as a threat.
Trump, along with British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, confirmed the US commitment to NATO’s mutual defense, as he did last week at a press conference.
We were unable to reach the French Embassy in Washington immediately. A NATO spokesman mentioned Rutte’s previous comments.
