Why Trump is leaving Europe to fend for itself

This time he may really leave NATO

In his first term, Donald Trump frequently threatened to leave the NATO alliance. Now as he runs again, many believe that he might really do it in a second term. This video explains how Europe still relies on the US military for its defense and how a sudden withdrawal by the US would leave them vulnerable.

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Search Party is led and produced by Sam Ellis, a journalist, director, editor, and animator based in New York City. For more than 6 years, Ellis produced the hugely popular video series, Vox Atlas, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. He specializes in breaking down the most complex new stories and presenting them with a refreshing, accessible, and engaging visual style.

He’s produced explainers on some of the world’s thorniest geopolitical stories; from corruption scandals in Latin America, conflict in the Middle East, and the rise of China, to the world of sports; the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIFA corruption scandal, and the 100-foot waves of Nazaré, Portugal. Ellis has also directed multiple episodes of TV; notably on Netflix’s ‘Explained’ and HBO Sport’s ‘Level Playing Field’.

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[pollutingpenguin]

As a European, I think it is completely fair. In fact, I think it will benefit Europe in the long run, that we spend more on military and that we will be able to defend ourselves.

[jackhenderson]

As a European why should America pay for our security ?

[LB-pyig]

Oh no, now these governments will have to actually do their jobs

[vilius]

imagine if all EU countries spent as much as Poland on deffence, EU would be fully ready to deffend it self

[RNAxRibose]

As an European. The fear of Trump winning may be the best thing to happen to us. Time to wake up and rearm.

[AceX]

I dont think the US is planning on neglecting its European allies. All Trump is saying is that countries in the alliance pay the minimum amount they are supposed to thats all. I find it very disrespectful when eastern countries can spend the 2% then countries like France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Spain, and Belgium that are richer but for some reason cant spend 2%.

[neriofrio]

I agree... Europe should stand on it's own and not freeload on America... it's not fair and doesn't bring stability to Europe.

[jbyrd]

If you look closely, you will see Greece met the 2% spending in 2017. Weird how a bankrupt country could manage but the others couldn't follow suit.

[EnemyofTheState]

I don't see a problem here. All NATO members have to pay to be in the alliance it makes complete sense.

[alaricbaird]

This is something I’ve thought for so long. As an American living in Europe. Europeans often criticize American military spending, which is horrendous to think that these countries don’t even spend the amount they have agreed on. And yet would still expect America to protect them. These countries would not be able to spend as much on their social programs if America wasn’t holding up the weight of nato by spending more on military.

[larskaaber]

Trump did not say in his speech or the presidential debate that the European countries owe the US money directly - he said they owe to spend the promised amount on their military.

[steazymccheesy]

I'm from Belgium and i am offended, how dare you suggest we use our MASSIVE taxes towards productive goals such as getting better defenses up instead of giving it all to useless/lazy politicians and bureaucrats. How dare you 😢

[lcedoutshef]

Trump is completely right. We should be paying our fair share too. It should be Europe's priority to be able to defend itself.

[KingOdieOldmanMilo]

I don't like trump, but he's not wrong with europe freeloading

[Daniel-vgfk]

Why are we Europeans asking the Americans to ensure our security like beggars? We used to be a strong group of nations with formidable militaries and world status, let's work to reclaim that.

[nwz]

Based. America is not your babysitter nor bodyguard.

[therealevandro]

"we really don't want him to return to office because then we'll be forced to pay our share fair"

[whodey]

It's not like decreasing aid to Ukraine would result in increased social services in the U.S.

[guss]

If the US will leave NATO, they'll have to forgoe it's bases in Europe and potentially see it's weapons exports diminish on favor of a growing European industrial/military complex, without the limits that NATO puts on European weapon exports. Don't get me wrong - this will be a lose-lose situation for everyone.

[koenhouse]

Europe is a joke: 1) Funding Russia by being dependent on Russia's oil/gas, 2) Expect handouts from US financially & militarily, 3) Unfair trade towards US, 4) Talk tough but ends w/ "We still need US"