Donald Trump often deplored the functioning of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) during his presidency, between January 2017 and January 2021. He wanted member states to pay more in order to rebalance the sharing of the burden with United States.
This Saturday, he went even further, threatening to scuttle the alliance in the event of a lack of funding.
At a rally in the state of South Carolina, he said that, if re-elected, he would no longer guarantee NATO protection against Russia.
He thus reported a conversation with one of the NATO heads of state, without naming him.
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said
: well, sir, if we don't pay and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us?
» says the billionaire before revealing his answer.
“No, I won’t protect you.
In fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want to you.
You must pay your debts.”
The NATO treaty provides for a response from members if one of them is attacked.
This statement comes after Trump, the likely Republican candidate against Democratic President Joe Biden in the November presidential election, put pressure on Republican elected officials in Congress, the American parliament, to bury a bill providing for the payment of a new aid to Ukraine as well as a reform of migration policy.
“Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies is appalling”
The White House, the seat of the presidency, responded to Trump's statements by touting Biden's efforts to strengthen alliances around the world.
“Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and senseless,” responded spokesperson Andrew Bates.
“Rather than calling for war and promoting chaos, President Biden will continue to support American leadership.
»
The agreement blocked in Congress provided for additional aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Amounting to $95 billion (around 86 billion euros), it will be debated next week and includes funds for Israel's fight against Hamas and for a key strategic ally, Taiwan.
The lion's share, however, would help Ukraine replenish its stocks of munitions, weapons and other essential needs, as the country enters a third year of war.
The expulsion of migrants, a priority
Trump also once again took up the burning issue of immigration, another major controversial subject in the electoral campaign.
Under his pressure, Republican elected officials seem to have decided to block any reform of migration policy before the election.
The former president, who built his popularity by promising the construction of a wall between the United States and Mexico, assured that the expulsion of migrants would be one of his priorities if returned to the White House .
“On day one, I will end all of the Biden administration's open border policies and we will launch the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history.
We have no choice,” he said.
During his meeting, Trump also took a dig at Nikky Haley, former governor of the state of South Carolina and rival for the Republican nomination, ironically about the absence of her husband at her side during the campaign.
“Where is her husband?”
Oh, he's gone, he's gone.
What happened to her husband?
» he said with voice effects.
Largely left behind in the nomination race, the former United States ambassador to the United Nations responded sharply on X (ex-Twitter) about her husband, Michael Haley, engaged for a year in a military deployment in Djibouti .
“He is deployed in service to our country, something you know nothing about.
Someone who continually disrespects the sacrifices of military families has no business being commander in chief.
»
Michael is deployed serving our country, something you know nothing about.
Someone who continually disrespects the sacrifices of military families has no business being commander in chief.
https://t.co/AfN3u4AsJc
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 10, 2024
Said husband also sent a message to the billionaire on X, accompanied by a photo of a wolf, with a little scathing comment.
“The difference between humans and animals?
Animals wouldn't let the stupidest among them lead the pack.
»