Summary
Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's upcoming book shares that during Donald Trump's presidency, there were moments of tension regarding the U.S.'s role in NATO. Trump once suggested Norway could be removed from NATO because he felt it wasn't contributing enough financially. Stoltenberg feared that Trump's critical stance risked weakening the alliance.
Key Facts
- Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's former chief, shares details in his book "On My Watch, Leading NATO in a Time of War."
- Trump suggested in a 2018 meeting that Norway might be excluded from NATO over defense spending concerns.
- Trump criticized NATO allies for not meeting the target of spending 2% of their GDP on defense.
- During a NATO summit in 2018, Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. support unless European allies increased their defense budgets.
- Stoltenberg feared that the alliance could lose significance without the U.S.'s backing.
- European leaders subsequently agreed to increase their defense spending more quickly.
- Stoltenberg described feeling relieved when tensions over defense budgets between the U.S. and European NATO members eased.
