It was revealed in a conference in Brussels that former President Donald Trump said in 2020 that the US would “never help” Europe if it was attacked. Now, European nations are grouping to commit more firepower to combat Putin’s threat to democracy.
Trump’s Warning at Davos 2020
At the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2020, Thierry Breton, a French European commissioner responsible for the internal market, revealed the warnings issued by then-President Donald Trump.
No Support
According to Breton, Trump asserted, “You need to understand that if Europe is under attack, we will never come to help you and to support you.”
Lack of Reliability
This declaration came as a surprise to European capitalists, who are now concerned about the reliability of the transatlantic alliance. Trump went on to proclaim the demise of NATO, stating, “By the way, NATO is dead, and we will leave, we will quit NATO.”
NATO’s Alleged Demise
NATO, a cornerstone of European security for decades, faced unprecedented scepticism. Trump’s calls for European nations to increase their contributions and his threats to quit the alliance had far-reaching consequences.
NATO Looks Fragile
The fragility of NATO became a recurring theme during his presidency, where he constantly showed concerns about its relevance.
Push Back
European leaders, including Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen, who was then serving as the defence minister, pushed back against Trump’s demands and financial claims.
Financial Claims and Defence Spending
Trump insisted that Germany owed the U.S. $400 billion for defence, “And by the way, you [Germany] owe me $400bn,” he claimed, “because you didn’t pay, you Germans, what you had to pay for defence.”
Debate on Finances
Von der Leyen and other European leaders found themselves caught in a debate about financial obligations within the alliance. The episode left European leaders wandering about the uncertain alliance and the need to reassess their defence budgets.
The “Wake-Up Call” for Europe
Thierry Breton’s characterization of Trump’s 2020 remarks as a “big wake-up call” reverberated in European capitals. The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s presidency and the possibility of his return has worried Brussels about the safety of Europe.
Lead in Polls
The quotes were revealed just before the upcoming Republican presidential primary. Trump holds a significant lead in the polls.
Sobering Thought
The realization that Europe might be “on its own” forced a sobering acknowledgement. As Politico reported, Breton said, “So now more than ever, we know that we are on our own, of course. We are a member of NATO, almost all of us, of course, we have allies, but we have no other options but to increase this pillar drastically in order to be ready [for] whatever happens.”
EU Leaders’ Versailles Declaration
Fast forward to the present, and EU leaders gathered at Versailles, unveiling a groundbreaking declaration. The Versailles Declaration was proof that European countries were all on the same page regarding the war in Ukraine.
The leaders signified their intention to collectively “invest more and better in defence capabilities and innovative technologies.
Issues of Sovereignty
Emmanuel Macron, addressing the urgency of the situation, stated, “We can see how our food, our energy, our defence are all issues of sovereignty.”
More Investment
The leaders committed to investing more in defence capabilities, innovative technologies, and tighter cooperation among their armed forces. The Versailles Declaration became a symbol of Europe’s determination to combat the spread of Putin’s war machine, which leaders described as “a tectonic shift in European history.”
Mobilizing for Sovereignty
Macron, defending the Versailles Declaration, stressed that sovereignty had become a critical issue for Europe, “The Versailles Declaration is linked to the fact that sovereignty in Europe, which might have been thought of by some as a slogan or a French fantasy, is seen by all today as crucial.”
Collective Effort
The commitment to invest in defence capabilities and technologies showcased a collective effort to strengthen the EU’s security posture.
The historic choices made by Germany, with its €100 billion commitment to defence, and Denmark’s decision to reconsider its position on EU security mechanisms further revealed the gravity of the moment.
Macron stated, “Everywhere you look historic choices are being made.”
EU’s Economic Power and Sanctions Against Russia
In response to Russia’s aggression, the EU used its economic might as a tool for diplomatic leverage without waging in direct conflict.
“About 10 days ago, Germany decided to make historical investments, and Denmark made a historic choice, deciding to ask the people if they want to come back to the European defence and security project,” Macron said.
A Strong Stance
The EU announced measures such as denying Russia the most-favoured-nation status, imposing tariffs, and banning luxury goods exports as a direct hit to the Russian elite.
Protect the Innocent
Ursula von der Leyen reinforced the EU’s stance, declaring, “Those who sustain Putin’s war machine should no longer be able to enjoy their lavish lifestyle while bombs fall on innocent people in Ukraine.”
More Articles Like This…
Broken Britain: 12 Reasons Behind the UK’s Decline
Say the Unsayable: 10 Occasions When Farage Spoke His Mind About Britain
The post Trump: ‘If Europe Is Under Attack, We Will Never Come to Help You’ first appeared on Edge Media.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Evan El-Amin.
Oscar Davies, an expert in US and UK politics and sports, is renowned for his sharp and engaging writing style, appealing to a broad spectrum of readers.