President Donald Trump is once again pressuring European allies ahead of the NATO summit. While NATO member countries have increased their defense spending, Trump is demanding not only financial contributions but also loyalty to the United States.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Trump at the White House on June 24, highlighting the increase in defense spending by European countries and Canada. He noted that since Trump's first term, Europe and Canada have added over $120 billion in defense spending, referring to it as the "Trump trillion," a result of Trump's pressure for increased military budgets.
However, Trump told Stoltenberg, "We don’t need their money. I just want loyalty," indicating that mere increases in defense spending are not sufficient.
Trump's frustrations have grown recently, particularly in light of the military actions against Iran, where he felt some European allies did not provide adequate support.
The NATO summit, set to take place in Ankara, Turkey, from July 7 to 8, will occur in this tense atmosphere. While the official agenda includes defense spending, support for Ukraine, and responses to Russian threats, the real focus will be on Trump's demands for loyalty from allies.
In an effort to persuade Trump, European nations are looking to secure defense contracts that favor the U.S. Politico reports that discussions at the summit are expected to include multi-billion dollar arms deals and agreements for increased production, aiming to present Trump with economic gains.
Support for Ukraine is also a key issue, with NATO members discussing a military aid package worth €70 billion (approximately $123 billion). However, the U.S. may not participate in this support.
The review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe is adding to the tension. Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced last month that the U.S. would reassess its troop presence in Europe over the next six months. Trump has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of reducing U.S. forces stationed in Germany.
During the summit, NATO is expected to reaffirm its principle of collective defense. However, as Trump demands not only financial contributions but also political loyalty, concerns about the transatlantic alliance are growing.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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