Politics

Pence assures European allies of NATO support

WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence assured European allies this weekend the United States will stand strong with NATO while demanding member nation’s pay up for defense.

“Today, on behalf of President Trump, I bring you this assurance: The United States of America strongly supports NATO and will be unwavering in our commitment to this transatlantic alliance,” Pence said at the Munich Security Conference Saturday.

Trump has previously blasted NATO as “obsolete” and chastised member countries for not paying their fair share. In 2014, all 28 member countries agreed to pay 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense within the decade.

The US, Great Britain, Poland, Greece and Estonia meet that target, whereas bigger allies like Germany do not.

“Let me clear on this point: The president of the United States expects our allies to keep their word, to fulfill this commitment, and for most, that means the time has come to do more,” Pence said.

Pence reiterated two goals of NATO are to come to a country’s aid if it’s attacked and the promise to share the burden of defense costs.

That funding promise has “gone unfulfilled for too many for too long, and it erodes the very foundation of our alliance,” Pence said.

But some European allies were not impressed with the Trump Administration demands.

Germany’s foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel said the country would not be pushed around by President Trump into increasing its defense bills.

“I don’t know where Germany can find billions of euros to boost defense spending if politicians also want to lower taxes,” Gabriel said, the Guardian reported.

France’s minister of foreign affairs, Jean-Marc Ayrault, took to Twitter to bemoan Pence’s speech contained “not a word about the EU [European Union.]”

Meanwhile, Pence sought to reassure allies President Trump is taking Russia seriously.

“The United States will continue to hold Russia accountable, even as we search for new common ground, which, as you know, President Trump believes can be found,” Pence said.