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Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance mentioned that if Donald Trump were to be reelected, he would ensure that the US remains in NATO. However, Vance emphasized the importance of ensuring that the trans-Atlantic alliance is not just seen as a recipient of welfare.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance stated, “Donald Trump wants NATO to be strong. He wants us to remain in NATO, but he also wants NATO countries to actually carry their share of the defense burden.”
Throughout his time in office, Trump consistently highlighted his efforts in pressuring European allies in NATO to increase their defense spending. In a rally in February, Trump caused concern by stating that he once told a NATO leader that he would allow Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to those who were not meeting their obligations.
When pressed for a direct answer on whether the US would stay in NATO under a Trump administration, Vance confirmed, “We would stay in NATO.”
While Vance did not outline specific conditions for the US’s continued participation in NATO, he criticized the imbalance in commitments among member countries, particularly singling out Germany, which is Europe’s largest economy and has been a frequent target of Trump’s pressure during his presidency.
He stated, “It’s effectively the United Kingdom, a couple of other nations, and the United States. NATO’s problem is that particularly Germany needs to spend more on security and defense.”
Vance refrained from labeling Russian President Vladimir Putin as an enemy, suggesting that cooperation with Putin would be necessary “if we’re ever going to end the war in Ukraine.” He identified China as the biggest threat to the US.
Regarding Putin, Vance remarked, “I think that he’s clearly an adversary. He is a competitor.”
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