President Trump promoted his platform for the NATO summit Tuesday morning, ahead of meeting with other defense partners.
He accused some countries of being behind on past payments.
Many countries in NATO, which we are expected to defend, are not only short of their current commitment of 2% (which is low), but are also delinquent for many years in payments that have not been made. Will they reimburse the U.S.?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2018
Mr. Trump has repeatedly demanded that other member states pay a larger share to offset the amount America contributes.
NATO countries must pay MORE, the United States must pay LESS. Very Unfair!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2018
The NATO summit is part of the president’s European tour. Relations between the U.S. and our allies in the European Union were strained by a trade war over steel and aluminum.
Like the collective defense group, Mr. Trump called the financial relationship between the U.S. and the EU as unfair for American workers.
Getting ready to leave for Europe. First meeting - NATO. The U.S. is spending many times more than any other country in order to protect them. Not fair to the U.S. taxpayer. On top of that we lose $151 Billion on Trade with the European Union. Charge us big Tariffs (& Barriers)!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2018
Mr. Trump’s European tour will start with a stop in Brussels for the NATO summit. Thursday will have the president visiting London for a brief visit with Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II. He will round out the trip by meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Helsinki summit.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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