"During a closed-door meeting with other leaders, the president went on a tirade, berating the other nations for failing to spend the targeted 2 percent of their GDP on defense, urging better relations with Russia, and threatening to withdraw the United States from NATO if he didn't get what he wanted."
"Trump is now demanding that NATO help the United States reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage through which 20 percent of the world's oil travels, which Iran has effectively closed in response to the United States' and Israel's attacks."
"I think he made NATO defunct in practice already with Iran, one senior European Union diplomat told us on the condition of anonymity to be candid about geopolitically sensitive subjects."
In July 2018, NATO leaders faced tension as President Trump criticized member nations for defense spending and threatened U.S. withdrawal. His subsequent meeting with Putin raised concerns about NATO's future. Trump is now pressuring NATO to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has strained relations. Although NATO has refused, the situation could benefit Russia. A senior EU diplomat suggested that Trump's actions have already diminished NATO's effectiveness and predicted a potential reduction of U.S. troops in Europe.
Read at The Atlantic
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