European allies closely monitoring this year's U.S. presidential election are wary of former President Donald Trump's comments about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Article 5 is a central tenet of the NATO alliance. An attack on one is an attack on all. But on the campaign trail, Trump suggested that the U.S. might attach conditions to the deal if he returns to the White House.
President Trump's rhetoric about NATO has been ongoing for years, and he reinforced it at a rally last weekend.
President Trump said he told leaders of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies that the United States would not support allies if they were not spending enough on defense.
“No, I will not protect you. Rather, I will encourage you to do whatever they want. You have to pay. You have to pay the bills,” Trump said. said.
NATO responded quickly. Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement that any suggestion that allies would not defend each other undermines everyone's security and puts soldiers at greater risk.
Last year, more than half of NATO countries approached or met the voluntary guideline of spending 2% of GDP on defense.
Read more: President Trump threatens to cut off defense aid if NATO countries don't pay
Even more spending increased after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“NATO cannot be an à la carte military alliance. No military alliance can function depending on the humor of the US president at the time,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
President Joe Biden called Trump's comments “appalling and dangerous,” and Trump's rivals in the Republican primary were also outspoken.
“I was sick to my stomach watching Donald Trump's comments on Saturday,” Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said. “He simply said something that put all military personnel at risk. All we did was expose them and put all of our allies at risk.” That kind of gathering. ”
But other Republicans dismissed Trump's comments.
“He doesn't speak like a traditional politician, and we've been through this already. I think people understand that by now,” Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said. “Sho,” he said.
But U.S. allies overseas are taking the statement seriously.
The European Commission did not elaborate, but said it was preparing for “all possible outcomes” in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
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