On Sunday, January 11th, 2024, United States President Joe Biden and top Western officials criticized Former President and 2024 Republican Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump, after he suggested that the U.S. might not protect its N.A.T.O. allies from a potential Russian invasion if they did not spend enough of their G.D.P. on defense. Trump spoke during a political rally in South Carolina. He recalled a former meeting with a N.A.T.O. leader mentioning the statement of defense spending and the potential of not protecting allies.

After talking to the N.A.T.O. leader, Trump stated, “No I would not protect you. In fact I would encourage them[ Russia] to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay”. N.A.T.O.’s 31 members have all agreed to spend two percent of their G.D.P. on defense but estimates show that only 11 countries meeting this commitment. However, this number is likely to increase after Trump’s comments.NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphatically stated, “Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk. Any attack on NATO will be met with a united and forceful response.” President Biden then reiterated, “America’s leadership on the world stage and support for our allies is critical to keeping the American people safe here at home.” Additionally, EU Council President Charles Michel remarked, “Reckless statements on NATO’s security and Article 5 solidarity serve only Putin’s interest.”

The entire N.A.T.O. alliance is weakened by Trump’s bold statement. Although Trump helped allies to increase their N.A.T.O. spending, he did it in a threatening and unjust scheme to make E.U. countries ‘pay up’  and not rely on American spending. If Trump were to uphold his claims, he would be breaching Article Five of the N.A.T.O. treaty: ‘The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all’. Trump’s demanding actions are nothing new, and E.U. leaders are prepared to solidify with or without the US for their own safety and security.

Only time will tell what actions Trump will take if he wins the U.S. 2024 election. If Trump has the ability to destabilize the N.A.T.O. alliance, it could lead Putin to attack N.A.T.O. countries without U.S. defense. The U.S. must uphold its NATO alliance to protect and defend the security and freedom of its members, promote democracy, and prevent conflict.