In response to Trump's remarks on NATO defense spending, President Biden, echoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, labels them "dangerous" and "Un-American," according to The Associated Press.
Biden's Response
The former President's words seemingly planted seeds of fear for United States Partners. To re-cap the former President stated that he would allow Russia to "Do whatever the hell it wants" to allied NATO territories that fail to devote 2% of their gross domestic product to defense. Biden shared multiple quotes calling such comments regarding the defense pact "dangerous and shocking" adding the following "The whole world heard it and the worst thing is he means it". Also before calling the former president's words "Un-American" he stated that "When America gives its word it means something. He doesn't understand that the sacred commitment that we've given works for us as well"
Biden is referring the NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause that states that an armed attack against one or more of its members shall be considered an attack against all of its members. However, Trump has had a record of describing NATO allies as leeches on the United States military and has questioned the value of the military alliance that has lasted decades back in 2018. The report also cites Stoltenberg's previous statement on Sunday which is as follows "Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk." The defense minister in Poland also echoed a similar statement "No election campaign is an excuse for playing with the security of the alliance."
However, a Trump senior advisor, Jason Miller also shared some thoughts in response to President Biden's statements "President Trump got our allies to increase their NATO spending by demanding they pay up, but Joe Biden went back to letting them take advantage of the American taxpayer. When you don't pay your defense spending you can't be surprised that you get more war" Trump is currently looking to secure the Republican nomination although his eligibility remains in the air as one of his trials is now in the hands of the Supreme Court.
