President Trump met with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands on Monday in the Oval Office. In letters sent last month, Mr. Trump demanded that NATO allies spend more on their own defense.CreditDoug Mills/The New York Times
New York Times: In Pointed Letters, Trump Demands More Defense Spending From NATO Allies
WASHINGTON — President Trump has written sharply worded letters to the leaders of several NATO allies — including Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada — taking them to task for spending too little on their own defense and warning that the United States is losing patience with what he said was their failure to meet security obligations shared by the alliance.
The letters, sent in June, are the latest sign of acrimony between Mr. Trump and American allies as he heads to a NATO summit meeting next week in Brussels. It will be a closely watched test of the president’s commitment to the alliance after he has repeatedly questioned its value and claimed that its members are taking advantage of the United States.
Mr. Trump’s criticism raised the prospect of another confrontation involving the president and American allies after a blowup by Mr. Trump at the Group of 7 gathering last month in Quebec, and increased concerns that far from projecting solidarity in the face of threats from Russia, the meeting will highlight divisions within the alliance. Such a result could play into the hands of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who is to meet with Mr. Trump in Helsinki, Finland, after the NATO meeting, and whose primary goal is sowing divisions within the alliance.
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WNU Editor: The office of Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau leaked their letter from President Trump over a week ago .... Trump warns Trudeau on lack of defence spending ahead of NATO summit (iPolitics). What is my take. What good is an alliance when many members do not want to contribute promised levels of defense spending or keep their armed forces at a readiness level that is more than symbolic. And while many are saying that President Trump is undermining NATO .... I say the opposite .... he is trying to save it. That is why it is easy for me to predict what is going to happen at this year's NATO summit. Presdient Trump is going to raise the issue of defense spending, and many of these leaders are just going to mumble or make excuses. This is not a winning issue for them, so expect them to focus on other topics.
More News On President Trump Demanding More Defense Spending From NATO Allies
Trump slams 'underspending' NATO allies ahead of key summit, warns WTO: 'We will be doing something' -- FOX News
Trump reportedly demands NATO allies increase defense spending in harshly worded letters -- Washington Times
Trump demands NATO allies increase their financial contributions -- The Hill
Trump sends letters to NATO allies demanding more defense spending -- Axios
European powers nervous ahead of Trump tour -- Chris Doyle, Arab News
