The White House on Saturday rejected comments made by former US president Donald Trump about not protecting NATO allies from a potential Russian invasion as “appalling and unhinged.”
Trump, appearing to recount a meeting with NATO leaders during a political rally in South Carolina on Saturday, quoted the president of “a big country” that he did not name as asking: “Well sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia — will you protect us?”
“I said: ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’ He said: ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay,” Trump said.
Photo: Bloomberg
Asked about Trump’s comments, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said: “Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged — and it endangers American national security, global stability and our economy at home.”
The NATO treaty contains a provision that guarantees mutual defense of member states if one is attacked.
Trump, front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, was a fierce critic of NATO when he was president, repeatedly threatening to pull out of the alliance. He cut defense funding to NATO and frequently complained that the US was paying more than its fair share.
Bates said that US President Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election, had restored US alliances after taking office in 2021, ensuring that NATO was now “the largest and most vital it has ever been.”
“Rather than calling for wars and promoting deranged chaos, President Biden will continue to bolster American leadership and stand up for our national security interests — not against them,” he said in a statement.
With Trump leading Biden in some polls, European allies worry a Trump victory in November could jeopardize the US commitment to the alliance, but NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg last month said he did not think a second Trump presidency would jeopardize US membership.
Stoltenberg, who has been pushing member states to boost defense spending, said European allies were increasing their military contributions and “moving in the right direction.”
Trump has continued to hammer the transatlantic alliance, telling a campaign rally last month that he did not believe NATO countries would support the US if it were attacked.
On Russia’s war in Ukraine, Trump has called for de-escalation and complained about the billions of US dollars spent so far, although he has put forward few tangible policy proposals.
Since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, US aid to Ukraine has totaled about US$75 billion, Stoltenberg said, while other NATO members and partner states combined have provided more than US$100 billion.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old