Trump’s Stance over NATO Sparks Alarm for Future
The former president, Donald Trump, during a campaign rally in Conway, South Carolina, said something about NATO that may raise a few eyebrows everywhere. The president raised his apprehensions regarding the future of NATO, which probably hinted that he may give a cold shoulder to the organization in case they are attacked by the Russians at any time in the future. The 31 member countries that form part of the group came under the scanner of the former president, who categorically stated that he would see whether the NATO members were contributing adequately to the 31-member alliance. He confirmed that he had made this point before, in the international meeting that took place under his presidency.
Trump said, “One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well sir if we don’t pay and Russia attacks us, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you.”
Trump recalled a scenario where the president of a large country asked if the U.S. would protect them if they were attacked by Russia and hadn’t paid their dues. Trump’s response was unequivocal: if they were delinquent, he would not protect them and would encourage them to handle the situation as they saw fit.
Foreign policy experts worry that if Trump were to win a second term, NATO may disintegrate due to his record of recurring threats. Trump’s critics contend that his criticism of NATO is consistent with his backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a longtime foe of the European military alliance.
The NATO charter obligates members to come to each other’s aid in the event of an attack. This principle was invoked after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when NATO assisted the United States. Despite Trump’s mischaracterizations over the years, NATO members do not pay traditional dues. Instead, they are urged to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. However, not all members have met this target, contributing to Trump’s ongoing criticism of the alliance.
The Biden White House promptly condemned Trump’s most recent remarks on NATO. The White House spokesman, Andrew Bates, termed the statement from Trump “appalling and insane” and further said, Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged.” He further said, “it endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home.”
