News

Donald Trump Sends Scathing Letters To NATO Allies Accusing Them Of Underspending On Defense

Last month, President Donald Trump sent  letters to several NATO allies, including Germany, Norway, Canada and Belgium, criticizing them for not spending the required 2% of their GDP on defense. Trump also is warning that the U.S. is growing frustrated with these countries for not meeting their part of the agreement, according to The New York Times.

The letters fit a pattern of Trump critiques of NATO, particularly of defense spending by other members. NATO members committed to spend 2% of their gross domestic product on national defense at a 2014 summit in Wales, and Trump has repeatedly bemoaned that NATO allies have not fulfilled this commitment.

50 Celebrities Who Have Died In 2018 – Tribute Slideshow

“Members of the alliance must finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligations,” Trump said during a May 2017 NATO meeting. “Twenty-three of the 28 member nations are still not paying what they should be paying and what they are supposed to be paying for their defense. This is not fair to the people and taxpayers of the United States.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

SLIDESHOW: DONALD TRUMP’S 30 CRAZIEST TWEETS

In the letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump said, “As we discussed during your visit in April, there is growing frustration in the United States that some allies have not stepped up as promised. Continued German underspending on defense undermines the security of the alliance and provides validation for other allies that also do not plan to meet their military spending commitments, because others see you as a role model … It will, however, become increasingly difficult to justify to American citizens why some countries do not share NATO’s collective security burden while American soldiers continue to sacrifice their lives overseas or come home gravely wounded.”

Trump, who used similar language in letters to other leaders, also suggested that the U.S. “might adjust its military presence around the world if its allies do not step and spend more for their own security.”

Steven Abendroth

Recent Posts

With World Cup Coming To U.S., FIFA Opens Office In Trump Tower, Sparking Ethics Debate

With many of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Club World Cup tournaments scheduled…

4 hours ago

GOP Sen. John Kennedy, 73, Freezes For 7 Seconds During Live TV Interview, Reigniting Debate Over Elderly Congressmen

During an interview with Fox Business on Tuesday, Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) froze during his…

5 hours ago

Trump Job Approval Drops To 38%, Lowest Level In Second Term Fueled By Economic Concerns

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 38%, the lowest level in his second…

5 hours ago

Conservative Podcaster Candace Owens Says Trump Thinks His Supporters Are ‘Stupid’

Right-wing conservative Candace Owens accused President Donald Trump of thinking his voters are "stupid," amid…

8 hours ago

Trump Accuses Nemesis Sen. Adam Schiff Of Mortgage Fraud, Calling For His Arrest

President Donald Trump is calling for Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) to be arrested for alleged…

8 hours ago

Rep. Mike Lawler Announces He Won’t Run For N.Y. Governor, Clearing Way For Trump Ally Rep. Elise Stefanik To Win GOP Nomination

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-New York) announced Wednesday he will not run for governor and will…

23 hours ago