Trump attacks NATO and Norway: I ended 8 wars and was denied the Nobel Prize
Former US President and presidential candidate Donald Trump his scathing attack on US allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), questioning their mutual commitment to common defense, while expressing his deep displeasure at not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, describing Norway's decision in this regard as "foolish."
Doubts about NATO's commitment and military spending
In a controversial post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump questioned whether NATO member states would stand by Washington in times of crisis. He wrote, "We will always stand with NATO, even if they don't stand with us," implicitly suggesting that the United States bears the brunt of the burden in this historic military alliance.
The questioning of loyalty didn't stop there; Trump returned to the issue of military spending , a key point of contention he had consistently raised throughout his presidency. He argued that the contributions of many members were insufficient, forcing him to intervene forcefully to urge them to increase defense budgets. He added sharply, "The United States has been foolishly paying for them! I made them, with all due respect, increase their defense budgets, and they paid directly."
Historical context: The 2% dilemma
Trump's remarks come amid a long-standing debate within NATO. Since the Wales Summit in 2014, member states have pledged to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. However, Trump has consistently criticized the pace of progress toward this goal, claiming that his political pressure is the primary reason for increased spending by allies—a sensitive issue in transatlantic relations, particularly given current geopolitical tensions in Europe.
Nobel Peace Prize and Ending Wars
In reviewing his foreign policy achievements, Trump addressed the Nobel Peace Prize . He said, "Remember, I single-handedly ended eight wars, and Norway, a NATO member, foolishly decided not to award me the Nobel Peace Prize."
It is worth noting that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded specifically by a Norwegian committee in Oslo, unlike the other Nobel Prizes which are awarded in Sweden. Trump had previously been nominated for the prize for his role in brokering the Abraham Accords to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states, as well as for his efforts regarding North Korea, but he did not win, a fact that seems to still bother him.
Geopolitical impact: America versus China and Russia
Trump concluded by linking the prestige of the United States to his own person, saying, "The only country that China and Russia respect is the United States, rebuilt by Donald Trump." This statement reflects Trump's doctrine of "peace through strength," in which he believes that international relations, especially with rival great powers, depend on strong leadership and formidable military and economic power, implicitly warning of Washington's diminished standing in his absence.
