Defense policy: According to Trump, the US will stay in NATO until Europe “plays fair”.

Former US President Donald Trump has made it clear that if he returns to the White House, the US will not leave NATO until Europe pays its contribution to the military alliance. The republican was asked about his position on the defense alliance by commentator and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage in an interview broadcast with right-wing British broadcaster GB News on Tuesday. Farage wanted to know if the US would stay in NATO if the other member states “played fair”. Trump replied: “Yes. 100 percent.”

However, Trump said European countries should not take advantage of America's support. “America should pay its fair share, not everyone else.” Don't forget that… NATO It is more important to Europe than to America, because there is an ocean between America, a “beautiful, big, wonderful ocean,” and Europe has “some problems.”

Trump is critical of NATO. During his tenure from 2017 to 2021, he publicly threatened to withdraw several times. America From the coalition. He criticized his members for not meeting the defense spending target. Like no one before him, he cast doubt on whether the transatlantic defense alliance, established in 1949, had a future. For example, he repeatedly questioned whether the United States would fulfill its obligation to provide military assistance in an emergency.

“NATO Must Treat America Fairly”

It was only in February that the Republican presidential candidate caused a stir with a statement about NATO at a campaign event. “We will not provide protection from Russia to NATO partners who do not meet their financial obligations,” he said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded clearly: “Any suggestion that allies will not protect each other undermines our entire security, including that of the United States, and increases the risk to American and European players.”

In a conversation with Nigel Farage, Trump toned down his rhetoric. Europe Pay “its fair share” of defense costs. “NATO has to treat America fairly, because without America, NATO really doesn't exist,” Trump said.