Worrying words from Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Conway, South Carolina. The tycoon, again running for the White House, recalled his statements from 2018 in which he stated that he would not defend any NATO country that did not respect its payment commitments but on the contrary, on the contrary it would “encourage” Russia to attack them.
“One of the presidents of the largest countries – Trump tells supporters (referring to a NATO summit) – had stood up and said to me, 'well, sir, if we don't pay and we are attacked by Russia, will you protect us? And Trump responded: “you don't pay, you're a criminal. No one would protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You have to pay your bills.”
A statement that sparked concern and irritation among allies.
The White House: “Scary and crazy words”
The White House responded to Trump's remarks, highlighting President Joe Biden's efforts to strengthen international alliances. “Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies by murderous regimes is scary and crazy and harms our national security, global stability and our economy,” he commented Andrew Bates, White House spokesperson. Biden then commented on the tycoon's words by stating that Trump's words suggest his desire to "give the green light" to Vladimir Putin for more "wars and violence".
Stoltenberg: “Nato ready to defend every ally”
" NATO remains ready to defend all its allies“, this was the prompt reply of the NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg. “Any statement that talks about the possibility that member countries will not defend each other puts the security of all of us at risk, including that of the USA, and exposes American and European soldiers to increasing risks.”
“I expect – underlined the Secretary General of the Alliance – that, regardless of who wins the presidential elections, the United States will remain a strong and faithful ally within NATO“. Concern also comes from the Polish Foreign Minister Pawel Zalewski stressing that “these words of a presidential candidate must be taken seriously”. “It means a change in the logic of the presence of the United States in NATO. It's very worrying. He correctly calls on member countries to spend more on defense, but also invites Russia to attack. This is absolutely incomprehensible."
Italy is also among the 20 countries that do not spend 2% of GDP
For some time, Donald Trump has reiterated the concept that NATO countries that do not respect defense spending agreements (2% of GDP) do not deserve the full support of their allies. The former American president is referring to the fact that during the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales, NATO member states agreed to increase their defense spending until reaching the target of 2% of GDP. A commitment that was reiterated in Warsaw in 2016 with the so-called Defense Investment Pledge.
According to the Alliance's estimates, in the last year, I am alone eleven out of 31 countries to have reached this threshold. And among these there is not Italy which in 2023 spent around 1,46% of GDP.
In addition to the United States, which has a defense expenditure of 3,49%, Poland (2%), Greece (3,9%) also respects the commitments of 3,01% for defense spending. 'Estonia (2,73%), Lithuania (2,54%), Romania (2,44%), Hungary (2,43%), Latvia (2,27%), the United Kingdom ( 2,07%) and Slovakia (2,03%).
So which countries are on Trump's blacklist? besides Italy? Luxembourg (0,72%), Belgium (1,13%) and Spain (1,26%), Turkey, Slovenia, Canada, Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Albania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Macedonia Northern, Montenegro. By a hair's breadth, given that it spends 1,9% of GDP, France is also among the targets. Even Finland, a new NATO member, is just under 2% but has already committed to bringing spending to 2,3% of GDP.
Update at 15.50
