U.S. former Trump recently made shocking remarks at a campaign rally, saying that he would "encourage" Russia to "do whatever it wants" its allies who do not pay for defense in accordance with NATO regulations. This remark triggered a strong reaction from European countries, with many leaders such as France's Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressing their firm support for NATO, and calling on Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities to deal with the dual threats from Russia and the United States.
Trump's provocative rhetoric.
According to CNN, on February 10, local time, Trump made the following remarks on NATO's defense spending at a campaign rally in South Carolina:
I said, 'Everybody has to pay for it'. They said, 'Well, if we don't pay, will you still protect us?' and I said, 'Absolutely not.'" ”
A big country's ** once asked him if the United States would still provide protection if they didn't pay but were invaded by Russia. "No, I'm not going to protect you," Trump recalled, telling the **, "in fact, I'm going to encourage them (Russia) to do whatever they want." So you have to pay, you have to pay your own expenses. ”
Trump's remarks are undoubtedly a blatant repudiation of NATO's core principle, the fifth collective defense clause. This article stipulates that an attack on one member State is considered an attack on all member States of the Alliance, and all Member States are obliged to provide assistance. Trump's remarks are also a serious threat to European security, suggesting that he will allow Russia's aggression against Europe and even support Russia's actions.
Trump's remarks are not the first time he has made a negative assessment of NATO. He has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not raising defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP), as NATO mandates. He has also questioned the value of NATO's existence, calling it "outdated" and "useless." He also threatened to withdraw from NATO at the 2018 NATO summit if other member states did not increase defense spending.
A counter-response from European leaders.
Trump's remarks provoked a strong reaction from European countries. France's Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and many other leaders have expressed their firm support for NATO and called on Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities to deal with the dual threats from Russia and the United States.
According to the British "Guardian" and AFP, on February 12, local time, French Prime Minister Sejourne, German Foreign Minister Baerbock and Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski held a meeting of the "Weimar Triangle" mechanism in La Selle-Saint-Cloudburg, west of Paris, which is a regular meeting mechanism for the three countries to coordinate their positions and strengthen cooperation. The foreign ministers of the three countries unanimously stressed the need to strengthen Europe's own security while maintaining NATO.
Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Sejourne said that in addition to NATO, Europe needs another "life insurance". "That's right, we need a second life insurance, not to replace or confront NATO, but to complement NATO. "In his opinion, it is necessary for Europe to build a defense industry based on itself. "Procure European products within the framework of our defense industry and prepare for conflicts. ”
Sikorski said that "the Atlantic Alliance is not a contract with a security company." Baerbock mentioned, "We need to focus on the security of Ukrainians, which means our own security." That's right, I think we need to build a kind of defense and security alliance that achieves the goal through joint procurement and pooling efforts. ”
February** Dynamic Incentive Program
On the same day, Prime Minister Bofa also held a meeting in Paris. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said before a meeting with France's Macron that the EU and the transatlantic alliance "have no choice" other than to strengthen solidarity and military cooperation. "Perhaps the most resonant phrase from Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers in Paris is 'all for one, one for all'. Tusk unabashedly hit back at Trump's remarks, "The EU, France, and Poland must become strong and ready to defend their borders and defend and support our allies and friends outside the EU." ”
Macron revealed to ** that France and Poland will negotiate around a new treaty covering defense, energy and cultural issues. He said that manufacturing will build Europe's industrial base and play a military role, which will also make Europe a powerful force for defense and security, complementing NATO, which is the European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance.
After his visit to Paris, Tusk visited the German capital Berlin on the same day. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to Trump's remarks in his speech to **, stressing that NATO will "unreservedly fulfill its commitment to protect its member states" and that "any statement that denies NATO's absolute protection commitment is irresponsible and dangerous, and it is only in Russia's interests, and we cannot allow anyone to gamble on Europe's security".