Only 3 countries apart from the US spend what they're supposed to on defence. UK, Poland and some other country I can't remember. They should be spending more, but arguing that the US is owed that money is plain ridiculous. There is absolutely no reason that money should be given to the US by these countries, or to any of the countries such as the UK who also meet the 2% target.
Arguing that the US is providing protection for these countries and needs to be paid is the exact same justification for the mafia existing.
- 4 actually; UK, Greece, Estonia and Poland.
I agree with you on the backpay bullshit. Many US presidents have pushed this issue, and NATO countries had already agreed to increase spending in 2016, to have all members on 2% in 2024. The way Trump is bringing this "protection money" extortion mobstyle-like goes against every fibre of NATO's alliance and existence.
I can't see the play. If you want them to spend more money on defence, why would you ask for money from those countries? You're taking away money that could be spent on defence, and you are also making them not give a shit about what you say because they refuse to be pressured into paying the US.
Can you imagine the response from Europe if this was coming from Theresa May?
But it is so completely ridiculous, it wouldn't even be considered by NATO anyway. Is the UK entitled to payments from NATO? Are we entitled to payments from the US for dragging us into Iraq under fals pretences?
He can keep up the anti-NATO rhetoric all he wants, but do not forget that the only time NATO has ever been called to the defence of an ally, it was in defence of the US.
heyhey, first trump move i support in a while