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NATO Summit Live Updates: Trump Calls U.S. Ties to Alliance ‘Very Strong’ Trump Claims Victory on NATO Military Spending: Live Updates
(about 1 hour later)
Right Now: President Trump is traveling to Britain. He says he won big spending concessions from NATO, but the French president disagrees. Right Now: President Trump has arrived in Britain. He says he won big spending concessions from NATO, but the French president disagrees.
• Mr. Trump said that the allies at the NATO summit meeting had agreed to his demand for a significant increase in military spending. But he offered no specifics, and President Emmanuel Macron of France refuted the claim. • Mr. Trump said that NATO allies had agreed to his demand for a significant increase in military spending. But he offered no specifics, and President Emmanuel Macron of France refuted the claim.
• Mr. Trump signed a joint statement that largely reaffirmed existing NATO commitments, and that was at odds with some of his own statements. • Mr. Trump said that he remained committed to the alliance, and he signed a joint declaration that largely reaffirmed existing NATO obligations — though it was at odds with some of his own statements.
• On the final day of the talks, Mr. Trump turned a heads-of-state meeting with Georgia and Ukraine into an argument about spending, prompting an emergency budget meeting.• On the final day of the talks, Mr. Trump turned a heads-of-state meeting with Georgia and Ukraine into an argument about spending, prompting an emergency budget meeting.
• President Trump is on a seven-day, three-nation European trip — to Belgium, Britain and then Finland for talks with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia — that highlights the ways he has utterly transformed United States foreign policy.• President Trump is on a seven-day, three-nation European trip — to Belgium, Britain and then Finland for talks with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia — that highlights the ways he has utterly transformed United States foreign policy.
• The New York Times has live coverage of his trip, from our White House reporters and European correspondents. Photographs from Mr. Trump’s weeklong trip are here.• The New York Times has live coverage of his trip, from our White House reporters and European correspondents. Photographs from Mr. Trump’s weeklong trip are here.
Mr. Trump strongly recommitted American support for NATO on Thursday, saying that he had won great concessions from allies on military spending, though he did not offer any details. Mr. Trump strongly recommitted American support for NATO on Thursday, declaring, “I believe in NATO.”
“The United States was not being treated fairly, but now we are,” the president said at a news conference after the NATO leaders held an emergency meeting to address Mr. Trump’s complaints. “I believe in NATO.” At a news conference in Brussels, he insisted that despite his criticism of the alliance and some of its member countries, there was no animosity in private meetings with other leaders.
A short time later, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said other countries had simply agreed to keep previous commitments to increase military spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product by 2024. “There’s a great, very collegial spirit in that room,” he said. “Very unified, very strong, no problem”
“A communiqué was issued yesterday,” Mr. Macron said. “This communiqué is clear. It reaffirms the 2 percent by 2024 commitments. That’s all.”
If Mr. Trump’s public remarks were friendly, the tone behind closed doors was much harsher.If Mr. Trump’s public remarks were friendly, the tone behind closed doors was much harsher.
According to a person briefed on Mr. Trump’s meeting with other NATO leaders, Mr. Trump said that if the other countries did not meet the 2 percent standard by January, the United States “would go it alone.”According to a person briefed on Mr. Trump’s meeting with other NATO leaders, Mr. Trump said that if the other countries did not meet the 2 percent standard by January, the United States “would go it alone.”
What that would mean was not clear to the officials who were present. White House officials did not immediately respond to requests to explain Mr. Trump’s comment, or to say whether he was suggesting that the United States could withdraw from NATO.What that would mean was not clear to the officials who were present. White House officials did not immediately respond to requests to explain Mr. Trump’s comment, or to say whether he was suggesting that the United States could withdraw from NATO.
The French president dismissed such concerns as unfounded. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, dismissed such concerns as unfounded.
“Generally I do not comment on what goes on behind the scenes, but at no moment did President Trump — neither bilaterally nor multilaterally — say that he was intending to leave NATO,” Mr. Macron said.“Generally I do not comment on what goes on behind the scenes, but at no moment did President Trump — neither bilaterally nor multilaterally — say that he was intending to leave NATO,” Mr. Macron said.
The allies had agreed to spend 2 percent of gross national product on defense by 2024, but Mr. Trump has demanded that they meet that threshold right away.
“What they’re doing is spending at a much faster clip, they’re going up to the 2 percent level,” he said, adding that he had told his counterparts the day before that “we should be at 4 percent.”
“The additional money that they’re willing to put up has been really amazing,” Mr. Trump said, without addressing a timetable or amounts. “Yesterday I let them know that I was extremely unhappy with what was happening and they have substantially upped their commitment.”
Mr. Trump has not held a news conference on American soil for more than a year. But on Thursday, flanked by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and John R. Bolton, his national security adviser, he took questions from reporters for over a half an hour.Mr. Trump has not held a news conference on American soil for more than a year. But on Thursday, flanked by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and John R. Bolton, his national security adviser, he took questions from reporters for over a half an hour.
He dismissed any concern that his relationship with Russia was too cozy or that his relationship with allies was too harsh, despite his statements questioning the value of NATO and castigating its members. He dismissed any concern that his relationship with Russia was too cozy or that his relationship with allies was too harsh. — Katie Rogers, Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Steven Erlanger
There was “great, very collegial spirit in that room,” he said. Mr. Trump said that other NATO countries had agreed to significant increases in military spending in response to his demands.
A short time later, Mr. Macron, the French president, said the allies had simply agreed to keep previous commitments to increase military spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product by 2024.
“A communiqué was issued yesterday,” Mr. Macron said. “This communiqué is clear. It reaffirms the 2 percent by 2024 commitments. That’s all.”
Mr. Trump has insisted that NATO countries meet the 2 percent threshold right away, and that the long-term target be doubled to 4 percent.
“The additional money that they’re willing to put up has been really amazing,” Mr. Trump said, without addressing amounts or a timetable. “Yesterday I let them know that I was extremely unhappy with what was happening, and they have substantially upped their commitment.”
Mr. Trump once again hailed himself as a “very stable genius” and took “total credit” for persuading his allies to increase military spending. And he took credit for other NATO countries having increased their military spending by $33 billion in the last year.Mr. Trump once again hailed himself as a “very stable genius” and took “total credit” for persuading his allies to increase military spending. And he took credit for other NATO countries having increased their military spending by $33 billion in the last year.
“I don‘t think that’s helping Russia,” he said. “I think NATO is much stronger now than it was two days ago.”“I don‘t think that’s helping Russia,” he said. “I think NATO is much stronger now than it was two days ago.”
Mr. Trump threw the meeting into turmoil on Thursday by using a session on Ukraine and Georgia, countries partially occupied by Russia, as another chance to complain about NATO military spending. That prompted the leaders to convene an emergency budget session.
— Katie Rogers, Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Steven Erlanger— Katie Rogers, Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Steven Erlanger
At his news conference and on Twitter, Mr. Trump returned repeatedly to the topic of the $10 billion Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline being built to take Russian natural gas to Germany.At his news conference and on Twitter, Mr. Trump returned repeatedly to the topic of the $10 billion Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline being built to take Russian natural gas to Germany.
He said on Wednesday that Germany was “captive” to Russia because of its dependence on Russian gas. While Germany pays billions of dollars a year for Russian energy, he said, the United States spends billions to protect Germany from Russia.He said on Wednesday that Germany was “captive” to Russia because of its dependence on Russian gas. While Germany pays billions of dollars a year for Russian energy, he said, the United States spends billions to protect Germany from Russia.
“We have to figure out what’s going on with the pipeline,” Mr. Trump said on Thursday. “I brought it up, nobody brought it up but me.”“We have to figure out what’s going on with the pipeline,” Mr. Trump said on Thursday. “I brought it up, nobody brought it up but me.”
In fact, concerns with the pipeline date back to the Obama administration.In fact, concerns with the pipeline date back to the Obama administration.
“Presidents have been trying unsuccessfully for years to get Germany and other rich NATO Nations to pay more toward their protection from Russia,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter before arriving for meetings, repeating gripes he aired on Wednesday. “They pay only a fraction of their cost. The U.S. pays tens of Billions of Dollars too much to subsidize Europe, and loses Big on Trade!” — Katie Rogers and Julie Hirschfeld Davis“Presidents have been trying unsuccessfully for years to get Germany and other rich NATO Nations to pay more toward their protection from Russia,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter before arriving for meetings, repeating gripes he aired on Wednesday. “They pay only a fraction of their cost. The U.S. pays tens of Billions of Dollars too much to subsidize Europe, and loses Big on Trade!” — Katie Rogers and Julie Hirschfeld Davis
Despite his attacks on allied countries and his insistence that they should pay much more, Mr. Trump joined 28 other national leaders on Wednesday in signing a NATO declaration that reaffirmed existing commitments, including the 2 percent military spending target.Despite his attacks on allied countries and his insistence that they should pay much more, Mr. Trump joined 28 other national leaders on Wednesday in signing a NATO declaration that reaffirmed existing commitments, including the 2 percent military spending target.
That contrasts with Mr. Trump’s departure last month from the Group of 7 summit meeting, when he refused to sign onto the usual carefully crafted communiqué.That contrasts with Mr. Trump’s departure last month from the Group of 7 summit meeting, when he refused to sign onto the usual carefully crafted communiqué.
[Read the full story here.][Read the full story here.]
The 23-page, 79-point NATO declaration, which reflects months of negotiation, censured Russia’s actions in Ukraine in the bluntest terms: “We strongly condemn Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, which we do not and will not recognize.”The 23-page, 79-point NATO declaration, which reflects months of negotiation, censured Russia’s actions in Ukraine in the bluntest terms: “We strongly condemn Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, which we do not and will not recognize.”
Just over a week ago, the president told reporters on Air Force One that he was considering supporting Russia’s claim to Crimea, which it seized in 2014.Just over a week ago, the president told reporters on Air Force One that he was considering supporting Russia’s claim to Crimea, which it seized in 2014.
In response to the NATO statement, Russia’s foreign ministry breezily dismissed the alliance as a “useless military bloc.” In a mocking post on Twitter, the ministry said that while NATO “accuses us of provocative activities and continues to grind its teeth in Brussels, we are preparing to watch the 2018 World Cup.”In response to the NATO statement, Russia’s foreign ministry breezily dismissed the alliance as a “useless military bloc.” In a mocking post on Twitter, the ministry said that while NATO “accuses us of provocative activities and continues to grind its teeth in Brussels, we are preparing to watch the 2018 World Cup.”
The allies agreed to a NATO Readiness Initiative, which would allow the group to assemble a fighting force of 30 land battalions, 30 aircraft squadrons and 30 warships within 30 days. The initiative reflects a “30-30-30-30” plan pushed by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and meant to deter Russian aggression in Europe.The allies agreed to a NATO Readiness Initiative, which would allow the group to assemble a fighting force of 30 land battalions, 30 aircraft squadrons and 30 warships within 30 days. The initiative reflects a “30-30-30-30” plan pushed by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and meant to deter Russian aggression in Europe.
Signing onto a declaration that contrasted sharply with some of his own statements, Mr. Trump left allies and analysts alike a bit off balance.Signing onto a declaration that contrasted sharply with some of his own statements, Mr. Trump left allies and analysts alike a bit off balance.
“Trump is coming through and saying, ‘What have you done for me lately?’” Jorge Benitez, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said in an interview. “Trump seems to be defining U.S. national interests that are competitive with our allies and yet cooperative with North Korea, cooperative with Russia, and cooperative with China. That doesn’t seem consistent.” — Katie Rogers“Trump is coming through and saying, ‘What have you done for me lately?’” Jorge Benitez, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said in an interview. “Trump seems to be defining U.S. national interests that are competitive with our allies and yet cooperative with North Korea, cooperative with Russia, and cooperative with China. That doesn’t seem consistent.” — Katie Rogers
Other NATO leaders mostly refrained from responding to Mr. Trump’s disdain and criticism, but the body language at the summit meeting said plenty, and it was not a message of warmth and harmony.Other NATO leaders mostly refrained from responding to Mr. Trump’s disdain and criticism, but the body language at the summit meeting said plenty, and it was not a message of warmth and harmony.
[Read more about the awkwardness of the summit meeting here.][Read more about the awkwardness of the summit meeting here.]
As the leaders walked to the site of a group photograph, many of them chatting easily with one another, Mr. Trump hung back, with the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.As the leaders walked to the site of a group photograph, many of them chatting easily with one another, Mr. Trump hung back, with the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
When they took their assigned spots, Mr. Trump stood near the center, but his counterparts mostly ignored him, giving him no more than sidelong glances, even as several of them continued conversing.When they took their assigned spots, Mr. Trump stood near the center, but his counterparts mostly ignored him, giving him no more than sidelong glances, even as several of them continued conversing.
A number of news organizations noted the awkwardness, drawing rebukes from White House aides, who called it “fake news.”A number of news organizations noted the awkwardness, drawing rebukes from White House aides, who called it “fake news.”
Hours after Mr. Trump castigated Germany, he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel, then the two of them briefed reporters on their conversation. The president smiled and spoke of a “very, very good relationship;” the chancellor did not. — Katie RogersHours after Mr. Trump castigated Germany, he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel, then the two of them briefed reporters on their conversation. The president smiled and spoke of a “very, very good relationship;” the chancellor did not. — Katie Rogers
Mr. Trump, who is to meet with Mr. Putin next week, may have raised the issue of the natural gas pipeline to deflect accusations that he has been too cozy with the Russian president — charges bolstered by the continuing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.Mr. Trump, who is to meet with Mr. Putin next week, may have raised the issue of the natural gas pipeline to deflect accusations that he has been too cozy with the Russian president — charges bolstered by the continuing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Mr. Trump said that Germany’s leaders were too beholden to Russia.Mr. Trump said that Germany’s leaders were too beholden to Russia.
“The former chancellor of Germany is the head of the pipeline company that’s supplying the gas,” Mr. Trump said, referring to Gerhard Schröder, who leads the Nord Stream 2 project. “So you tell me, is that appropriate?”“The former chancellor of Germany is the head of the pipeline company that’s supplying the gas,” Mr. Trump said, referring to Gerhard Schröder, who leads the Nord Stream 2 project. “So you tell me, is that appropriate?”
The pipeline is a delicate issue in Europe, where many people oppose it on security and environmental grounds.The pipeline is a delicate issue in Europe, where many people oppose it on security and environmental grounds.
Much of Europe relies on natural gas from Russia, which has cut off supplies to exert pressure on other countries.Much of Europe relies on natural gas from Russia, which has cut off supplies to exert pressure on other countries.
The current pipelines pass through Ukraine, Belarus and Poland, but Nord Stream 2 would bypass those countries. That has raised fears that Russia could manipulate supplies to its East European neighbors while maintaining the flow to Western Europe. — Julie Hirschfeld DavisThe current pipelines pass through Ukraine, Belarus and Poland, but Nord Stream 2 would bypass those countries. That has raised fears that Russia could manipulate supplies to its East European neighbors while maintaining the flow to Western Europe. — Julie Hirschfeld Davis
American presidents have long pressed their NATO counterparts to increase military spending. But Mr. Trump’s insistence that the other nations owe money misstates how the alliance works, and the figures he cites are misleading.American presidents have long pressed their NATO counterparts to increase military spending. But Mr. Trump’s insistence that the other nations owe money misstates how the alliance works, and the figures he cites are misleading.
(Our reporters fact-checked the president’s claims on the financial relationship between the United States and other NATO countries.)(Our reporters fact-checked the president’s claims on the financial relationship between the United States and other NATO countries.)
NATO has a budget to cover shared costs and some equipment used in joint operations, and all 29 member countries contribute to it. None of the allies has failed to pay its contribution.NATO has a budget to cover shared costs and some equipment used in joint operations, and all 29 member countries contribute to it. None of the allies has failed to pay its contribution.
Mr. Trump’s complaint is that, while NATO member countries have agreed to spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic products on military spending, most do not. But none has violated that agreement, because the 2 percent figure is a target to be reached by 2024.Mr. Trump’s complaint is that, while NATO member countries have agreed to spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic products on military spending, most do not. But none has violated that agreement, because the 2 percent figure is a target to be reached by 2024.
According to NATO, all members have significantly raised military spending since 2014, and eight are expected to meet the goal this year.According to NATO, all members have significantly raised military spending since 2014, and eight are expected to meet the goal this year.
Mr. Trump tweeted on Monday that the United States accounted for 90 percent of military spending by NATO countries, but the alliance says the real figure is about 67 percent. And most American military spending is not NATO-related.Mr. Trump tweeted on Monday that the United States accounted for 90 percent of military spending by NATO countries, but the alliance says the real figure is about 67 percent. And most American military spending is not NATO-related.
Even so, the organization says on its website, “There is an overreliance by the alliance as a whole on the United States for the provision of essential capabilities, including, for instance, in regard to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; air-to-air refueling; ballistic missile defense; and airborne electronic warfare.”Even so, the organization says on its website, “There is an overreliance by the alliance as a whole on the United States for the provision of essential capabilities, including, for instance, in regard to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; air-to-air refueling; ballistic missile defense; and airborne electronic warfare.”
— Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Steven Erlanger— Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Steven Erlanger
The next leg of Mr. Trump’s trip will take him to Britain from Thursday through Sunday, where he will be greeted with pomp and protests. The president will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II, while thousands of people are expected to demonstrate against him.The next leg of Mr. Trump’s trip will take him to Britain from Thursday through Sunday, where he will be greeted with pomp and protests. The president will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II, while thousands of people are expected to demonstrate against him.
(Stephen Castle and Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura, looking ahead to Trump’s visit to Britain, explain why the American president’s visit could be an ordeal more than anything else, despite the “special relationship.”)(Stephen Castle and Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura, looking ahead to Trump’s visit to Britain, explain why the American president’s visit could be an ordeal more than anything else, despite the “special relationship.”)
Buckingham Palace has released a detailed agenda for the visit with the queen on Friday. She will welcome the Trumps at the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where an honor guard will perform the national anthem and give a royal salute. Then it’s on to tea.Buckingham Palace has released a detailed agenda for the visit with the queen on Friday. She will welcome the Trumps at the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where an honor guard will perform the national anthem and give a royal salute. Then it’s on to tea.
Before flying to England, Mr. Trump said, “I think they like me a lot in the U.K.,” but public opinion polls indicate that in fact, he is unpopular in the country.
(Ceylan Yeginsu forecasts the less-than-friendly greetings being planned for the president in Britain.)
The president will hopscotch across the London area by air, avoiding traffic, protests, and, yes, that giant, diapered-baby float. The U.S. Embassy has warned Americans in London to “keep a low profile” from Thursday until Saturday. — Katie RogersThe president will hopscotch across the London area by air, avoiding traffic, protests, and, yes, that giant, diapered-baby float. The U.S. Embassy has warned Americans in London to “keep a low profile” from Thursday until Saturday. — Katie Rogers
Mr. Trump’s first summit meeting with the Russian president will be parsed for countless layers of meaning.Mr. Trump’s first summit meeting with the Russian president will be parsed for countless layers of meaning.
The West’s stance toward Russia is, as always, a central topic at the NATO meeting, and the United States’ European allies are worried that Mr. Trump aims to reduce the American security role in dealing with Moscow.The West’s stance toward Russia is, as always, a central topic at the NATO meeting, and the United States’ European allies are worried that Mr. Trump aims to reduce the American security role in dealing with Moscow.
Russia is waging a proxy war against Ukraine, has forcibly annexed part of that country, has meddled in other nations’ elections, gives crucial support to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, and stands accused of using a chemical weapon on British soil.Russia is waging a proxy war against Ukraine, has forcibly annexed part of that country, has meddled in other nations’ elections, gives crucial support to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, and stands accused of using a chemical weapon on British soil.
Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign is under investigation for links to Russia, and Mr. Trump, who is quick to aim a barb at almost anyone else, has been reluctant to criticize Mr. Putin. Yet he and his aides bristle at accusations that he is not tough enough with the Kremlin.Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign is under investigation for links to Russia, and Mr. Trump, who is quick to aim a barb at almost anyone else, has been reluctant to criticize Mr. Putin. Yet he and his aides bristle at accusations that he is not tough enough with the Kremlin.
The meeting with Mr. Putin will be closely analyzed for signs that Mr. Trump is friendlier to his Russian counterpart than to the leaders he is meeting in Brussels.The meeting with Mr. Putin will be closely analyzed for signs that Mr. Trump is friendlier to his Russian counterpart than to the leaders he is meeting in Brussels.