After meeting with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, Trump had a meltdown on social media and began tweeting false claims about Germany and the money they owe to NATO.
1/ Sorry, Mr. President, that’s not how NATO works. The US decides for itself how much it contributes to defending NATO. pic.twitter.com/8svkzRBEQb
— Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) 18 mars 2017
Trump had gotten a few, perhaps small, things wrong in his tweet regarding the “vast amount money Germany owes to NATO.” Thankfully, Ivo Daalder who is an expert in this area stepped up and correct the falsities in Trump’s tweets.
2/ This is not a financial transaction, where NATO countries pay the US to defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment.
— Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) 18 mars 2017
Ivo Daalder, a former U.S Ambassador to NATO, went to Twitter to explain to President Trump how NATO actually works. He first explained to President Trump that in NATO, other countries do not pay the U.S to defend them. He then goes on to show how each country contributes to spending for defense. Daalder explained – again – that the money does not go to the U.S for defending them, it goes to NATO “to increase NATO’s overall defense capabilities.”
3/ All NATO countries, including Germany, have committed to spend 2% of GDP on defense by 2024. So far 5 of 28 NATO countries do.
— Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) 18 mars 2017
4/ Those who currently don’t spend 2% of their GDP on defense are now increasing their defense budgets. That’s a good thing.
— Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) 18 mars 2017
President Trump has repeatedly spoken out against NATO in the past, calling it “obsolete.” However, before speaking bad about something that has helped strengthen international affairs between North American and European democracies for years, it would be just oh-so-considerate if he knew just how it worked even slightly before he starts complaining.
