Donald Trump’s comments on NATO: it’s not an ‘alliance a la carte’, European diplomacy is irritated

“Be serious!” The words of Donald Trump, who on Saturday raised the possibility of ending the protection of NATO countries whose financial contribution would be insufficient if re-elected, provoked a reaction from the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. “NATO cannot be an à la carte alliance,” said he is ahead of the European Union (EU) ministerial meeting in Brussels.

“In this day and age, a military alliance cannot operate at the whim of the President of the United States; it is not: yes, no, tomorrow, no, it depends. Let’s go to ! NATO either exists or it doesn’t exist,” he said. “During this campaign (American elections), we have a lot to see and hear (…). “Don’t expect me to comment on every stupid idea that comes up during the US national campaign,” he warned.

During a meeting on Saturday, Donald Trump, who is likely to face Joe Biden in the November presidential election, announced a conversation he might have with one of NATO’s heads of state, without naming him.

“One of the presidents of a large country stood up and said: Sir, if we don’t pay and Russia attacks us, will you protect us? “,” he said, before revealing his answer: “No, I wouldn’t defend you. In fact, I would advise them to do whatever they want. You have to pay your bills. »

“Reckless” comments

The American president reacted sharply. “The fact that Donald Trump admits that he intends to give the green light to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin for more wars and violence, to continue his brutal attack on a free Ukraine and to extend his aggression to the people of Poland and the Baltic countries. The states are alarming and dangerous,” Joe Biden said on Sunday.

“Any suggestion that allies will not protect each other undermines all of our security, including the security of the United States, and exposes American and European soldiers to increased risk,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

“NATO remains ready and able to protect all allies,” he insisted in a press release. “I am confident that the United States will remain a strong and committed NATO ally, no matter who wins the presidential election,” he added.

“Rash statements”

For his part, European Council President Charles Michel on Sunday called Donald Trump’s comments “reckless.” “The transatlantic alliance has supported the security and prosperity of Americans, Canadians and Europeans for 75 years,” he said at X. “Reckless claims about NATO security and EU Article 5 solidarity serve only Putin’s interests” and “bring neither more security nor more ” world peace,” he added.

This is not the first time Donald Trump has criticized the functioning of the Alliance. As president, he repeatedly questioned his partners about their financial participation. “The United States spends far more on NATO than any other country. This is unfair and unacceptable,” he tweeted in July 2018, already calling on other countries to “do more.”