The former president criticized and warned the NATO alliance, saying he would not support member countries that fail to meet their spending targets.
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Donald Trump warns NATO, says he would let Russia do whatever it wants
Former US President Donald Trump appeared to threaten the existence of NATO during his presidential campaign on Saturday, saying he might not support European countries if Russia attacked them and allowed the Russians to do what they want.
THE North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an intergovernmental military alliance of 31 member states, 29 European and two North American, was created in 1949.
The organization is based on the principle of collective defense, which means that an attack on one member country is considered an attack on the entire alliance and member states must protect each other against a third-party attack.
Although it is a military alliance, it also has a political dimension.
Trump has frequently attacked NATO for its member countries’ insufficient contribution to defense.
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At his recent campaign rally in Conway, South Carolina, on Saturday, he warned NATO allies that he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever it wants” to countries that don’t meet the defense spending targets of the transatlantic alliance.
During a speech at a rally, the former president recalled a story he told about an unknown NATO member who opposed him for his warning not to support members who were not achieving their goals.
Trump said: “One of the presidents of a great country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ » I said, “You haven’t paid?” Are you a delinquent? He said, “Yes, let’s say that happened.” » No, I wouldn’t protect you.
Trump then added: “In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever they want. »
Under NATO rules, members are required to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense.
Trump has long emphasized that the United States should not be a member of NATO because very few member countries have met the defense spending target.
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According to NATO estimates, in 2023, 10 out of 30 member states were close to or above the 2% target, while 13 spent less than 1.5%.
Trump said that if elected in 2024, his support for the NATO alliance would depend on whether it adequately contributes to defense.
Many high-profile figures commented on Trump’s criticism of NATO at his rally.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “Any suggestion that allies will not defend themselves undermines our entire security, including that of the United States, and places American and European soldiers at increased risk.
“I hope that whoever wins the presidential election, the United States remains a strong and committed ally in NATO,” Stoltenberg added.
The White House said: “Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unbalanced, and it endangers American national security, global stability and our domestic economy. »
The statement added: “Rather than calling for war and promoting deranged chaos, President Biden will continue to strengthen American leadership and defend our national security interests, not against them. »
Former South Carolina governor and Trump’s 2024 election opponent Nikki Haley also criticized Trump for his recent comments on NATO.
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She described NATO as a success story over the past 75 years, saying: “Now we want NATO allies to do their part. But there are ways to do this without sitting around telling Russia to do whatever it wants with these countries. »
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