Why does Trump keep browbeating NATO members to "pay more?"

[Brave New World]

The US does not have large military forces in Europe, and what the US spends on Europe only amounts to a tiny percentage of US Military Spending, whilst the Europeans spend over $230 Billion on defence which puts them second in the world above China.

Europe has significantly increased it's defence spending since 2014 and will continue to do so, as agreed.

Reality Check: Is Donald Trump right on Nato's funding boost? - BBC

[Moth]

Originally Posted by Hesychios

It was my understanding that these were arbitrary non-binding goals to be worked toward. Is this incorrect?

No. It was a declaration by all (then) 26 members at the Riga conference in 2006.

Nobody is forcing anyone to join or remain in NATO.

There are requirements, in all phases of life.

[GearHeadDave]

Originally Posted by desertdetroiter

Who gives a damn about what they agreed to? They don't! The alliance is for THEIR security, not ours. So why do you want to demand that someone spends more money on their own security, and attempt to shame them into doing so by spending more of MY tax money when I don't need the damn alliance?

I disagree. NATO alliance is the cheapest insurance we can buy for OUR security, not just Europe's. Our security and stability is directly tied to the security and stability of Europe. Just look at WWI and WWII if you don't believe it. The idea that what happens over there does not affect us is particularly naive.

[FKD19124]

America is not the ATM for the world. Other countries need to step up and pay their share.
Want security for your country, time to buck up!
Also We need to stop giving aid to other countries because we need to take care of our own.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by GearHeadDave

I disagree. NATO alliance is the cheapest insurance we can buy for OUR security, not just Europe's. Our security and stability is directly tied to the security and stability of Europe. Just look at WWI and WWII if you don't believe it. The idea that what happens over there does not affect us is particularly naive.

I think DesertDetroiter's opinion is a valid one.

The problem is that none of the 29 NATO members agree with it.

[Wapasha]

Originally Posted by Quick Enough

"Because Trump thinks that everyone should pay more - except him, of course"

"Ignorance is bliss"

Trump, we, ARE paying our obligated "share"

They are NOT.

And some on the left can't figure ouy how they have LOST over 1,400 political seats!

It's the Trump derangement syndrome (TDS).

When the Trump-haters are in the throes of TDS, they cannot think logically or rationally. This is why they come off as incoherent, and unable to follow a simple, logical train of thought.

They don't think for themselves, they just leap at the chance to simply lash out at Trump, to ridicule, malign, and belittle everything he says or does. They do the exact same with anyone else, who they perceive as not joining with them to lash out at Trump as well. If you don't join their bash Trump parade, you are the enemy.

This is why we see so many fake stories from CNN and the NYT. Whenever these people get wind of a story about Trump, they immediately look for the negative angle to it; how can they twist and slant the story to make Trump look bad.

If they see a negative angle that makes Trump look bad, they run with it like a bull. They are locked on that path and refuse to change course. They do not take the time to check the facts, much less take the time to understand the topic in a logical, common sense, or rational manner.