Nervous Nato partners wonder whether the transatlantic alliance can survive Trump
Europeans may brush off US president’s frequent criticism of the military partnership, but some analysts argue they are being complacent and its future is uncertain
The words “WE ARE ALLIES” are emblazoned in large yellow and white letters on fences around Nato headquarters in Brussels, in anticipation of Wednesday’s summit.
After nearly seven decades of the most successful alliance in world history, this sort of reminder should not be necessary. But given the events of the past year and a half, there is little doubt about what this message is meant to say and to whom.
Donald Trump will be in Brussels for the summit next week and he is showing every intention of disrupting any attempt at consensus and solidarity.
“I’ll tell Nato, you got to start paying your bills,” Trump told a wildly cheering crowd in Montana on Thursday. The president pondered aloud about the value for the US in paying for the collective defence of Germany.
He said he told Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel: “You know Angela, I can’t guarantee it, but we’re protecting you and it means a lot more to you than protecting us because I don’t know how much protection we get by protecting you.”