Trump attacks NATO and criticizes Norway for not awarding him the Nobel Prize
In new statements reflecting his continued controversial approach to foreign policy and international alliances, former US President and presidential candidate Donald Trump has once again raised questions about the value of the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), while also expressing his deep dissatisfaction at not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
Doubts about the loyalty of allies and NATO spending
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump openly questioned the willingness of NATO member states to stand by the United States in the event of a threat. In a widely shared post, Trump wrote, "We will always stand with NATO, even if they don't stand with us," clearly indicating his lack of complete trust in reciprocity from European allies.
The questioning of loyalty didn't stop there; Trump returned to the issue of military spending, a constant source of tension throughout his presidency. He argued that the United States was "foolishly" paying for other countries that hadn't met their financial obligations, claiming that he had forced them to increase their defense budgets to unprecedented levels.
The Nobel Prize complex and ending wars
In reviewing his accomplishments, Trump addressed the Nobel Peace Prize issue, sharply criticizing Norway (the country that awards the prize). Trump said, "Remember, I single-handedly ended eight wars, and Norway, a NATO member, foolishly decided not to award me the Nobel Peace Prize." This statement reflects a persistent sense of grievance on the part of the former president, who has often compared himself to his predecessors, such as Barack Obama, who received the prize early in his term.
Observers link Trump's desire to receive the award to his efforts in the "Abraham Accords" for normalization in the Middle East, as well as the nuclear disarmament summits with North Korea, which are issues that Trump believes deserved international recognition.
The geopolitical context and the impact of the statements
These remarks come at a sensitive time, with international relations experiencing significant tensions, particularly given the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war and the growing influence of China. Trump concluded by emphasizing the principle that "strength commands respect," stating, "The only country that China and Russia respect is the United States, rebuilt by Donald Trump.".
Historically, Trump's relationship with NATO has been fraught, with him repeatedly threatening to withdraw from the alliance during his presidency if member states did not increase their defense spending to 2% of GDP. These statements have raised concerns in Europe about a potential return to a more aggressive "America First" policy should he return to the White House, which could weaken traditional Western alliances in the face of growing global security challenges.
