Former President Donald Trump criticized NATO countries in a British television interview on Tuesday, saying the other 31 countries in the Atlantic alliance must “pay a price” to ensure U.S. protection.
Trump, 77, has previously criticized North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries for not spending enough money on defense, but he is a former leader of the UK Independence Party and the Brexit Party and the 45th president of the United Kingdom. He spoke further with staunch ally and GB News presenter Nigel Farage. .
“Why should we protect these countries that have a lot of money and the United States paid most of the cost of NATO?” he asked, referring to comments he made last month in which he suggested he would give him a hand.
“When I went there, I was already having fun with them [in the past]” Trump added. According to a clip from the interview, which will air in full later Tuesday.
“NATO wasn’t paying. I went to the first meeting early in the administration, saw what was going on, and said, ‘Guys, the bills have to be paid.’ “And in the second meeting, I grilled them,” Trump said.
“Then the question was asked in front of everyone by the leaders of major countries: ‘So if we don’t pay our bills, are you going to protect us from Russia?'”
The former president recalled saying at that meeting: Isn’t he paying the fee? Then no, I won’t pay. we’re not going to do that.
“If you don’t pay your bills, we’re not going to defend you. It’s that simple,” President Trump continued. “And hundreds of billions of dollars poured in.”
In 2014, NATO leaders vowed to allocate 2% of gross domestic product to defense spending in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. This year, 18 of the 32 companies in the alliance are expected to meet this standard.
“NATO is stronger because of me. Now NATO has to treat America fairly, because without America NATO wouldn’t even exist. Like most countries do. And they took advantage of us.”
Mr Farage also questioned whether Trump would order the US to come to the defense of NATO countries like Poland if they increased their defense spending.
“Yes,” the would-be Republican presidential nominee said. “But the United States should pay its fair share, not other countries’ fair share.”
