Trump says nato is obsolete but still very important to me

A nuanced view! While President Trump has indeed criticized NATO as "obsolete" in the past, it's true that he has also emphasized its importance. Let's break down his statements and the context:

"Obsolete" comments:

In 2017, during his first presidential campaign, Trump stated that NATO was "obsolete" because it was designed to counter the Soviet Union, which no longer exists. He also criticized the alliance's burden-sharing, saying that some member countries weren't contributing enough to their defense.

Importance of NATO:

However, in subsequent statements and meetings with NATO leaders, Trump has acknowledged the alliance's significance. For example:

  1. 2018 NATO Summit: Trump attended the NATO Summit in Brussels, where he praised the alliance's importance and commitment to collective defense. He also emphasized the need for member countries to increase their defense spending.
  2. 2019 NATO Summit: At the London Summit, Trump reiterated his support for NATO, saying that it was "stronger than ever" and that he was "very happy" with the progress made on defense spending.
  3. 2020: In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that NATO was "very important" and that he had a "great relationship" with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Why the nuance?

There are a few reasons why Trump might have expressed both positive and negative views on NATO:

  1. Campaign rhetoric: Trump's initial criticism of NATO was likely a campaign tactic to appeal to his base and emphasize his willingness to challenge traditional alliances.
  2. Burden-sharing: Trump has consistently emphasized the need for NATO member countries to increase their defense spending and contribute more to the alliance's collective defense.
  3. National interests: As President, Trump has likely recognized the importance of NATO in maintaining stability and security in Europe, which is crucial for American interests.

In summary, while Trump has criticized NATO as "obsolete" in the past, he has also emphasized its importance and commitment to collective defense. His views on NATO reflect a nuanced understanding of the alliance's role in maintaining global security and stability.