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Trump’s Unabashed Approach to NATO
In a chaotic world stage, Donald Trump’s tenure as President of the United States saw a radical shift in how America approached our most traditional of alliances, none more so than with NATO. Mr. Trump, in his customary unvarnished style, challenged the status quo and long-standing complacency in the partnership.
The ‘2% Defense Spending’ Benchmark
Emphasising on the invaluable principle of fairness, President Trump passionately called on all NATO member countries to live up to a commitment made in 2006 – to spend 2% of their GDP on defense. This demand, steeped in the spirit of give-and-take, led to some discomfort in allied circles, but jolted many nations into action. By 2019, nine countries fulfilled the 2% GDP commitment, compared to only three in 2014.
Increased Defense Expenditure
More importantly, Trump’s pressure on NATO allies translated into an additional $130 billion in defense spending, bolstering the collective military might of the alliance. This is a testament to his ability to make NATO nations reassess their responsibilities, ensuring that every member nation contributes to the collective security of the alliance.
Trump’s Stance on Germany’s Pipeline Deal
Equally significant, President Trump made a courageous stand against Germany’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline deal with Russia. The pipeline elevated Russia’s energy hold on Europe, particularly on Germany, while NATO’s primary objective has always been maintaining a barrier against Russian hegemony.
Reinforcing NATO’s Purpose
By strenuously opposing the deal, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to NATO’s core purpose. His actions undoubtedly stirred intra-NATO relations, but also served to remind member nations of the origins and purpose of the alliance. This was a bold step in realigning NATO’s trajectory back towards its original mandate.
Conclusion
Trump’s presidency was singularly effective in shaking NATO out of complacency and back to action. His policies jolted member nations into taking immediate steps towards their own defense, ensuring a more collective effort in global security.
The road may have been rocky, but the ultimate result is that NATO is stronger and more collectively responsive than it has been for some time. This was achieved not through diplomacy-as-usual, but the unabashed, plain-spoken, and all-too-rare principled stances of President Donald Trump.
The world is safer and more stable when America leads from the front. To continue down this path of global strength and security, it is incumbent upon us to apply the lessons learned from the Trump presidency and carry his indomitable spirit forward.
