WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump wrapped up his trip to the Netherlands for the annual NATO summit. He heads back to Washington with a win: getting members to increase their defense spending. He also pledges that the US would defend NATO allies if needed.
“We’re with them all the way,” said the President.
During his first term, the President criticized allies for not paying their fair share, questioned NATO’s value and threatened to withdraw the US from the alliance. During this summit, there seems to be a shift in attitude towards NATO.
“I came here because it was something I’m supposed to be doing, but I left here a little bit different, differently,” said the President. “I said, I watched the heads of these countries get up and the love and the passion that they showed for their country was unbelievable. I’ve never seen quite anything like it, but they, they want to protect their country and they need the United States and without the United States it’s not going to be the same.”
The President also reassured allies that the United States would comply with NATO’s Article Five, which means all members would come to the collective defense if one member was attacked.
“I stand with it,” said Trump. “That’s why I’m here. If I didn’t stand with it, I wouldn’t be here.”
With the exception of Spain, allies have also agreed to increase their investment in NATO’s defense by pledging five percent of their GDP.
“This is a significant commitment in response to significant threats to our security,” said Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General.
The conflict between Iran and Israel was a major talking point at the summit. Another major focus was on the war in Ukraine. President Trump suggested by members increasing their defense spending for NATO, it could help deter Russia’s aggression. He also adds he is looking into giving Ukraine additional weapons.
“They do want to have the anti-missile missiles, as they call them, the Patriots,” said Trump. “And we’re going to see if we can make some available, you know, they’re very hard to get. We need them, too. We were supplying them to Israel and they’re very effective, 100 percent effective, hard to believe how effective, and they do want that more than any other thing.”
