Former President Donald Trump privately warned that the US would “by no means” assist the EU if it have been attacked, a prime European Union official has revealed.
Whereas talking at an occasion on Tuesday, French European Commissioner Thierry Breton recounted Trump’s dialog with European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen in 2020 on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, per Politico.
“It is advisable perceive that if Europe is below assault we are going to by no means come that can assist you and to assist you,” Trump mentioned, in accordance with Breton, who was additionally current on the assembly.
Based on Breton, Trump then mentioned: “By the best way, NATO is lifeless, and we are going to go away, we are going to give up NATO.””
“And he added, ‘And by the best way, you owe me $400 billion since you did not pay, you Germans, what you needed to pay for protection,'” Breton mentioned.
All through his presidency, Trump questioned the worth of the US’ dedication to NATO and complained that different nations weren’t spending sufficient to assist the alliance.
He additionally referred to as the EU a “foe” and Brussels a “hellhole” and imposed tariffs on European items, resulting in commerce tensions.
In the meantime, Trump has additionally typically praised the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and appeared awestruck by the Kremlin chief, regardless of is invasion of Ukraine.
Trump appears poised to change into the Republican Occasion’s presidential nominee, setting the stage for a showdown with President Joe Biden within the upcoming November election.
Breton expressed fears of a potential second Trump presidency and what that will imply for US-EU relations.
“That was a giant wake-up name, and he could come again,” Breton mentioned.
“So now greater than ever, we all know that we’re on our personal, in fact. We’re a member of NATO, virtually all of us, in fact we’ve allies, however we’ve no different choices however to extend drastically this pillar with a view to be prepared [for] no matter occurs.”
Breton heads the EU’s industrial coverage and protection agenda and just lately proposed a €100 billion fund to raise arms manufacturing inside the bloc amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Politico reported.
