Will Trump Destroy NATO?

In this latest Federal Trust video John Stevens and Brendan Donnelly discuss the implications of a Trump Presidency for Europe and the United Kingdom. They conclude that if Trump becomes the next American President, then the European Union will be both prepared and able to increase its expenditure on defence. This process of “strategic autonomy” for the European Union is already underway and is likely to gain momentum in the coming years.

SPEAKERS
Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP.
John Stevens Chair of the Federal Trust and an analyst and commentator on economic affairs.

ABOUT THE FEDERAL TRUST
The Federal Trust is a research institute studying regional, national, European and global levels of government. It has always had a particular interest in the European Union and Britain’s place in it. The Federal Trust has no allegiance to any political party. It is registered as a charity for the purposes of education and research.

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IMAGE COPYRIGHT:
Picture of Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron:
Visit of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to Paris, France 13/02/2024
Copyright: European Union, 2024; Photographer: Dati Bendo
Cropped and background removed by Federal Trust.

[eveb.]

Very sober, down-to-earth, realistic commentary, as always!

[edwardanthony]

When you live next to a real life version of Mordor.. … However, the American’s will not love a world where Europe does not leap when America calls.

[michaelgoss]

Thank you for an interesting talk. My own view is that Trump is unlikely to win later this year. Based on evidence that has emerged in the last few days. It’s no bad thing that Europe should have a greater integrated military force. In my view the EU should have given this a much greater priority in the past 25 years.

[JP-vepp]

It would be the best thing he could do for the rest of the world, but I doubt he would/will!

[willieckaslike]

Possibly not. But the bugger is certainly "working on it". Remind me again of the number of USD'S he stands to pay in finds & costs ? $370 million wasn't it ?

[RonP-utcr]

When Trump was president, he said if you don’t pay your 2%, we won’t help protect you my God the money started flowing in, I would like to see him move the headquarters to England, but I’m just a lonely US citizen.

[Jeroen_Maes]

No, Trump will not destroy NATO. But as an isolationist one should not be surprised if Trump leaves NATO, the Europeans will not be of much help in a conflict with China any way. NATO will continue as the European defense organization. The nuclear deterrence will need to be expanded, though. Also the conventional forces, but that is already in the works, somewhat. And not being involved in a US-China conflict might become advantageous for the Europeans economically.

[MartinCarty]

In answer to the question, YES, he'll be doing the bidding of his boss, Putin. Putin has compromat on him.

[paulbo]

Trump: "I insist every NATO country spends the full 2% target, no more free loaders, thus strengthening NATO."
Commentariat: "He WaNtS tO dEsTrOy NaTo!"

[ananamu]

Oh, come on ! Trump doesn't have that much power ....don't give him the attention .

[HoklyMen]

Yes He will, He nut about his poll height, He been embrace putin, democrat accuse him Russian help .

[modelcitizen]

No he won't destroy it, that would take too much effort on his part (when he could be enjoying a nice round of golf).
But he will damage it's credibility, which could be fatal for the organization in the long run. Allies in Europe will have to hastily arrange a security pact if Trump does become president again.

This has been a long time coming, an after-effect of the cold war and adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regardless of who holds the presidency the US is moving to a more isolationist stance overall.