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Monday 20 March 2017
'That's not how it works': Trump's grasp of Nato questioned
On the heels of a visibly awkward visit
from the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, Donald Trump said on
Saturday that Germany owed “vast sums of money” to Nato and the US, even
though the alliance does not stipulate payments to America.
His remarks prompted a former US permanent representative to Nato to reply “that’s not how Nato works”, and to add that increased European spending on defense was not a “favor (or payment) to the US”.
Trump, who was at his Mar-a-Lago estate for the weekend and spending
the morning at Trump International Golf Course, sent two tweets early in
the day. The first denounced “the FAKE NEWS” for what he said was
mistaken coverage of a “GREAT” meeting with Merkel.
...vast sums
of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the
powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!
Trump’s public appearances with Merkel betrayed an awkwardness
between the two leaders, including during two widely remarked upon
appearances in the White House. In one, the leaders failed to stage a
handshake for cameras in the Oval Office, and in another Merkel looked baffled
by comments made by Trump during a joint press conference. Before the
visit Trump had repeatedly called Merkel’s policies “insane” and a “disaster” for Germany.
Trump’s second tweet accused Germany directly of not paying enough to the security alliance.
In a joint press conference on Friday, Trump expressed “strong
support” for Nato but reiterated his belief that member nations do not
contribute a “fair share”.
“Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years and it is very
unfair to the United States,” he said. “These nations must pay what they
owe.”
He
added: “During our meeting, I thanked Chancellor Merkel for the German
government’s commitment to increase defense spending and work toward
contributing at least 2% of GDP.”
Trump’s tweets on Saturday suggested a misunderstanding of the way
Nato is funded. According to Nato’s official guidelines, member nations
are expected to spend at least 2% of their country’s gross domestic
product (GDP) on defense. However, only a handful of the 28 members
actually meet that target.
At a 2014 summit in Wales, members pledged to increase their military spending to 2% of GDP by 2024, a goal some have said is unachievable and unrealistic for several member states.
Ultimately, members’ contributions are based on each nation’s
capability. Therefore, Nato member nations do not “owe” or have to
compensate any other country.
On Saturday Ivo Daalder, who was permanent representative to Nato from 2009 to 2013, respond to Trump in a series of tweets.
“Sorry, Mr President, that’s not how Nato works,” he wrote.
“The US decides for itself how much it contributes to defending Nato.
This is not a financial transaction, where Nato countries pay the US to
defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment.
“All Nato countries, including Germany, have committed to spend 2% of
GDP on defense by 2024. So far five of 28 Nato countries do. Those who
currently don’t spend 2% of their GDP on defense are now increasing
their defense budgets. That’s a good thing.
Trump jokes about wiretapping at Angela Merkel press conference“But no funds will be paid to the US. They are meant to increase
Nato’s overall defense capabilities, given the growing Russian threat.
Europe must spend more on defense, but not as favor (or payment) to the
US. But because their security requires it.”
Daalder added that the “large military commitment” of the US to Nato
was “not a favor to Europe” but was “vital for our own security”.
“We fought two world wars in Europe, and one cold war,” he wrote.
“Keeping Europe whole, free, and at peace, is vital US interest.”
Trump has long criticized Nato. In a joint interview days before taking office in January, with the Times of London and the German publication Bild, Trump declared the alliance “obsolete”.
“I
said a long time ago that Nato had problems,” he said. “No1 it was
obsolete, because it was designed many, many years ago. No2 the
countries weren’t paying what they’re supposed to be paying.”
In an interview with the New York Times editorial board,
Trump implied that US defense of a Nato ally would depend on whether
the country was contributing proportionally to the alliance’s defense
spending.
Asked whether the US would provide military defense to Baltic
countries if Russia were to attack, Trump said: “If they fulfill their
obligations to us, the answer is yes.”
Pressed on what course of action he would take if the answer were no,
Trump said: “Well, I’m not saying if not,” he said. “I’m saying, right
now there are many countries that have not fulfilled their obligations
to us.”
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