7 minutes agoTrump for NATO member states: If they don't pay, I won't protect them.
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)US President Donald Trump cast doubt Thursday on his readiness to defend NATO allies, saying he would not do so if they did not pay enough for their defence. “It's common sense, isn't”, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “If they don't pay, won't [...]
“It's common sense, isn't”, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
If they don't pay, I won't protect them. No, I won't protect”, he added.
It becomes known that Trump said he has been in that view for years and shared it with NATO allies during his 2017-2021 presidential mandate.
Those efforts prompted more spending by other members of the 75-year transatlantic coalition”, he said, “but even now, it is not enough”.
He added: “They must pay more. ”
A clause of mutual assistance stands in the heart of the NATO alliance, which was formed in 1949 with the main aim of challenging the danger of a Soviet attack on allied territory.
But Trump's remarks could cause alarm bells in capitals from Europe to Asia, where leaders were already concerned about a withdrawal of US security support after Trump ran into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and pointed close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier Thursday, concerned European leaders backed plans to spend more on defence and pledged to continue staying close to Ukraine, Reuters writes, Telegrafi conveys.
“I know that some may have concerns about NATO's future”, alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
So let me be clear, transatlantic relationship and transatlantic partnership remain the foundation of our alliance. President Trump has made clear the US commitment and his personal commitment to NATO, and has also made clear the expectations that we in Europe should do more in terms of defence spending”, he added.
It is reported that in the Ovale Office, Trump said NATO members were his friends, but questioned whether France or other countries would protect the US in a crisis moment.
You think they'll come and protect us? They're supposed to do it”, Trump said.
“I'm not so sure”, the Republican added.
Otherwise, Trump said he saw NATO as a good “” if what he saw as the matter of spending could be fixed.
“They are hindering us in trade”, he told the security alliance.
Trump had confirmed US commitments to NATO's bilateral defence last week during a press conference together with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
At a meeting of European leaders in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron responded to Trump's comments, saying France and other European countries had joined American troops in fighting in Afghanistan after 11 September.
Not only the French, but the Europeans were there when we called for Afghanistan. And by the way, they were not kindly warned when the United States left Afghanistan”, Macron said.
“We are loyal and loyal allies”, he added.
Donald trum y Members of natto nations
