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Trump throws Nato summit into chaos with fresh attack on defence spending Trump claims victory at Nato summit after fresh row over defence spending
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump has thrown the Nato summit into chaos by launching a fresh attack on Germany and other European countries over their defence spending. Donald Trump claimed victory at the Nato summit, saying progress had been made on defence spending after throwing the Brussels meeting into chaos with fresh attacks on European allies.
The US president renewed his criticism of European Nato members for not spending enough on defence at a closed session on Thursday morning that had been intended to be confined to non-budgetary issues. Asked if he had threatened to pull out of Nato, he did not directly deny it. He told a surprise press conference before he was due to leave that he only told people he would be very “ unhappy” if spending was not raised.
His outburst led to the scrapping of a series of planned press conferences and bilateral meetings as European leaders struggled to respond. Theresa May and Angela Merkel cancelled press conferences. The US president however claimed he could pull out of Nato without the approval of Congress. He said the alliance members had agreed to get to spend 2% of GDP faster than previously and claimed financial commitments would increase beyond that in future.
The renewed criticism of European Nato members for not spending enough on defence came at a closed session on Thursday morning that had been intended to be confined to non-budgetary issues.
The US president’s outburst led to the scrapping of a series of planned press conferences and bilateral meetings as European leaders struggled to respond. Theresa May and Angela Merkel cancelled press conferences.
Trump turned up late for the morning sessions involving Nato leaders, intended to discuss the accession of Ukraine and Georgia to the alliance. When he delivered his rebuke over defence spending, the Ukrainian and Georgian leaders were asked to leave because it was a purely Nato matter.Trump turned up late for the morning sessions involving Nato leaders, intended to discuss the accession of Ukraine and Georgia to the alliance. When he delivered his rebuke over defence spending, the Ukrainian and Georgian leaders were asked to leave because it was a purely Nato matter.
Soon after, the meeting broke up. European leaders retreated to their offices for discussion with their officials.Soon after, the meeting broke up. European leaders retreated to their offices for discussion with their officials.
The turmoil came a day after Trump strongly criticised Germany for not spending enough on defence. Officials from the European delegations subsequently said he had been relatively calm in the closed sessions later in the day and during a working dinner. He said US commitment to Nato “remains very strong” and the “fantastic” meeting of the alliance members had demonstrated “a great collegial spirit.”
He added: “Nato is much stronger now than it was two days ago.”
Trump, who leaves Brussels for a visit to the UK, said he was fine about the protests planned for his trip and insisted he was popular in the UK.
He said he had described the UK as “a hotspot” because of Brexit and the cabinetresignations. “There will be protests. There will always be protests,” he said, adding that people in the UK liked him and agreed with him on immigration.
The turmoil at the Nato summit came a day after Trump strongly criticised Germany for not spending enough on defence. Officials from the European delegations subsequently said he had been relatively calm in the closed sessions later in the day and during a working dinner.
In spite of that, a tweet from Trump on Wednesday showed he remained far from satisfied with the European response.In spite of that, a tweet from Trump on Wednesday showed he remained far from satisfied with the European response.
What good is NATO if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 out of 29 countries that have met their commitment? The U.S. is paying for Europe’s protection, then loses billions on Trade. Must pay 2% of GDP IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025.What good is NATO if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 out of 29 countries that have met their commitment? The U.S. is paying for Europe’s protection, then loses billions on Trade. Must pay 2% of GDP IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025.
Five of the 29 Nato members have reached the target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defence. These include the US, which spends 3.5%, and the UK on just over 2%.Five of the 29 Nato members have reached the target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defence. These include the US, which spends 3.5%, and the UK on just over 2%.
Trump had planned to step out of the closed session to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Azerbaijan, Romania, Ukraine and Georgia.Trump had planned to step out of the closed session to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Azerbaijan, Romania, Ukraine and Georgia.
Adding to the sense of chaos, Reuters reported that Trump had threatened at the closed session to pull the US out of Nato, according to two alliance sources. But the news agency later retracted this.
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Donald TrumpDonald Trump
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