Trump Meets with NATO “Freeloaders”

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Trump Meets with NATO “Freeloaders”
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Trump Meets with NATO “Freeloaders”

Fox News reported President Trump is attending his first NATO summit of his second term after brokering a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran. At the summit in The Hague, NATO members are expected to finalize a U.S.-driven agreement to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, with Spain resisting. Trump, long critical of NATO “freeloaders,” says the U.S. won’t match that target but expects Europe to do so. U.S. NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker said, “This summit is really about NATO’s credibility, and we are urging all of our Allies to step up to the plate and pay their fair share for transatlantic security.”

No doubt, Iran and Israel’s actions will also be on the agenda. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte backed U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, citing fears of Iran gaining a nuclear weapon. The AP reported Rutte also praised Trump “for making Europe ‘pay in a BIG way,’ as leaders gathered in the Netherlands on Tuesday for a historic summit that could unite them around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions among the 32 member countries of the security alliance.”

In separate coverage, the AP reported:

European allies have taken note of potential signs of a broader U.S. retreat. France and other NATO countries have been concerned that the Trump administration is considering reducing troop levels in Europe and shifting them over to the Indo-Pacific, which Cabinet officials have signaled is a higher priority.

Still, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker have underscored the U.S.’ commitment and have said the Trump administration is only seeking a stronger alliance.

The White House has not said which world leaders Trump will meet with at the World Forum in The Hague. Trump said he’ll “probably” see Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

President Trump is expected to meet with Rutte and have a press conference later today.