President Trump has expressed strong support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the alliance’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday.
“The current administration, [the] president and security team, are very supportive of the adaptation of NATO,” Mr. Stoltenberg said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Mr. Stoltenberg met with Mr. Trump at the White House Wednesday for their first in-person meeting ahead of next month’s NATO leaders’ meeting in Brussels. The trio will be Mr. Trump’s first visit outside the United States as president.
Mr. Trump’s expressed support of NATO is a change from his campaign message that called the group “obsolete” and a financial burden for the United States.
The secretary general did say Mr. Trump expressed a desire for more participation from European countries in the alliance, especially regarding the fight against international terrorism.
“He’d like to see NATO doing more in fight against terrorism,” Mr. Stoltenberg said, adding that he, too, felt more European nations needed to “invest more in defense.”
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Mr. Stoltenberg said he and Mr. Trump talked about a proportional response to prevent furthering an international arms race.
“We are not seeking a new Cold War,” he said.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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