The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has supported peace in Europe by countering the threat from the Soviet Union and now Russia. Doubts are inevitable over how much U.S. President Donald Trump recognized the importance of the Western alliance.
NATO held a summit and the gap between the United States and European countries over the burden of defense spending stood out once again.
Trump has called on NATO member states to meet a common target of spending 2 percent of each country's gross domestic product on defense as soon as possible. He even insisted that the member countries should eventually increase the target to 4 percent.
Among the 29 member states, only five countries have met the 2-percent target. The United States' commitment accounts for 3.5 percent of GDP, while Germany spends 1.24 percent of GDP. Washington has a point in its claim that the burden should be shared fairly.
European countries must continue efforts to boost defense spending to fulfill their responsibilities for collective defense.
It is concerning that Trump has linked his grievances about the United States' huge trade deficits with Europe to the security issue. He has brought up his pet argument that the United States is paying billions of dollars to support Europe, but loses heavily on trade.
His accusation against Germany was notably sharp. In a reference to Germany's plan to import natural gas from Russia by constructing a seabed pipeline, Trump bluntly called the country a "captive" of Russia.
Remain alert on Russia
NATO is a collective defense system involving countries that share values such as freedom and democracy. It cannot be overlooked that mutual trust, which is the foundation of the alliance, has been largely fragmented by Trump's arrogant remarks and behavior.
U.S. presidents in the past had played a leading role under the view that ensuring the stability and prosperity of Europe through NATO could serve U.S. national interests. Trump lacks such a view.
The declaration adopted at the NATO summit has stipulated that the right of collective defense -- in which any attack against one member state will be regarded as an attack against all members and opens the way for them to take action -- is its "core task."
Regarding Russia's annexation of Crimea in southern Ukraine, NATO has criticized Moscow's action for "undermining ... the rules-based international order." It has agreed to launch an initiative to improve its readiness with new air squadrons and naval vessels.
In light of Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempts to "change the status quo by force," it is reasonable for NATO to strengthen its defense of Eastern Europe. Ahead of U.S.-Russia summit talks on Monday, NATO has apparently tried to minimize the commotion in the alliance by issuing the declaration.
It is said that the Trump administration has been considering canceling NATO military exercises this autumn and a plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany has been floated within the administration.
This could pave the way for Russia to take advantage of the division between the United States and European countries and strengthen its hegemonic moves. Caution is needed.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 14, 2018)
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