In June, President Trump sent strongly worded letters to the leaders of several NATO countries, calling on them to increase their defense spending before the United States runs out of patience.
Trump sent letters to Canada, Norway, Belgium, and Germany, and a person who saw the note to German Chancellor Angela Merkel told The New York Times Trump wrote there is "a growing frustration in the United States that some allies have not stepped up as promised. Continued German underspending on defense undermines the security of the alliance and provides validation for other allies that also do not plan to meet their military spending commitments, because others see you as a role model."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How might Trump's second term affect the free press?Today's Big Question The president-elect has previously pledged to go after his supposed 'enemies' in the media
-
Amanemu: an ultra-luxury onsen retreat in Japan's Ise-Shima National ParkThe Week Recommends Soak in blissful private solitude among pine-cloaked hills and steamy hot springs
-
Today's political cartoons - December 23, 2024Cartoons Monday's cartoons - immigrant jobs, crypto scams, and more
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
