The UK Foreign Secretary said the remarks made by the Republican presidential frontrunner on Saturday were “not a sensible approach”, adding the Northern Atlantic military alliance was “more essential than ever” in a “very dangerous and uncertain world”.
European leaders on Monday decried Trump’s suggestion at a South Carolina rally at the weekend he would “encourage” Russia to attack any NATO country that does not contribute 2 per cent of its GDP to the alliance’s coffers.
Article 5 requires each of the military alliance’s 31 countries to come to the aid of any member who becomes a victim of an armed attack. It has been invoked only once, in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attack on the US.Speaking to reporters as he visited East Kilbride, Scotland, Cameron said he was a “very strong” supporter of NATO, adding it was only getting stronger after the addition of Sweden and Finland this year.
“It is what helps to keep us safe and that is so essential in this world where we have seen Putin’s terrible illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Cameron said.
He said Britain wanted all countries to spend 2 per cent (of GDP) but added it was not “responsible or sensible to say some of the things that have been said”.
Downing Street was more reserved in its response towards Trump, saying the UK remained fully committed to standing with its allies to combat Russian aggression.
Asked if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was confident that the US would remain a dependable partner regardless of who wins the vote expected in November, his official spokesman said: “We’ve always worked with the US and we’ve worked with the US through a number of administrations and will continue to do so in the future.”
Trump on Saturday recalled to the rally how as president he told an unidentified NATO member that he would “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes in cases of allies who are “delinquent”.
“You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?” Trump recounted saying. “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gottapay. You gotta pay your bills.”
The comments earned a rebuke from NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, who said any suggestion that allies will not defend each other “undermines all of our security”.
During his time in office, Trump repeatedly criticised European NATO members for too heavily relying on US military protection while failing to meet the agreed level of investment in their armed forces.
His outbursts were often directed at Germany and other major European economies, including France, who are still below NATO’s 2 per cent target. However, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago both are expected to meet the goal in the coming years, with Germany expected to pass the level this year for the first time since 1991.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Trump’s comments were “irresponsible”, telling reporters on Monday that Trump’s remarks “even play into Russia’s hands”.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country spends more than any NATO ally with 4.3 per cent of GDP on defence, said on a visit to Paris that there was “no alternative” to European security.
“Europe must become a safe continent,” he said, citing the slogan from the French novel The Three Musketeers — “all for one, one for all”.
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