President Donald Trump stressed his commitment to NATO in his comments before meeting with NATO leaders at the alliance’s summit on Wednesday at The Hague, Netherlands.
When Trump was asked about the commitment of the U.S. to NATO’s Article 5, he replied that he was supportive of the alliance.
“We are with them all the way,” Trump said.
NATO’s Article 5 is at the crux of the alliance organization’s existence. It is predicated on collective defense, asserting that any attack on one NATO country is considered an attack on all NATO countries.
“The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all, and consequently, they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area,” reads NATO’s Article 5.
Many have wondered if Trump would not adhere to Article 5 after his past comments expressing dissatisfaction with European countries contributing a lesser amount to NATO’s defenses than the U.S. Leaders at this year’s summit are expected to announce that each member will pledge to increase their country’s defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
“I’ve been asking them to go up to 5% for a number of years,” Trump said Wednesday morning. “I think that’s going to be very big news.”
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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said there was a plan for “all allies to spend 5% of GDP on defense.” He also praised Trump for being the catalyst for the change, stating that the U.S. president “made this change possible.”
“For too long, one ally, the United States, carried too much of the burden,” Rutte said. “That changes today. Dear Donald, you made this change possible.”