Published January 11,2024
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Donald Trump informed high European officers whereas he was U.S. president that the United States would by no means assist Europe if it got here beneath assault, in accordance with a high-level EU official.
Thierry Breton, a French commissioner who’s liable for the European Union’s inner market, stated Trump made the remarks to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2020.
Breton recounted his recollection of the assembly, which he additionally attended, at a panel dialogue in Brussels on Tuesday. His feedback prompted sharp criticism of Trump on Wednesday from U.S. President Joe Biden’s marketing campaign for re-election.
“You need to understand that if Europe is under attack, we will never come to help you and to support you,” Breton quoted Trump as saying through the Davos assembly.
“By the way, NATO is dead, and we will leave, we will quit NATO,” Trump additionally stated, in accordance with Breton, talking at an occasion hosted by the Renew Europe political get together on the European Parliament.
“And by the way, you owe me $400 billion, because you didn’t pay, you Germans, what you had to pay for defense,” Breton quoted Trump as saying.
Asked whether or not von der Leyen’s recollection of Trump’s remarks matched these of Breton, a spokesperson for the European Commission president declined to remark.
“Out of principle the President NEVER discloses what her interlocutors have told her during closed door meetings. So we are not going to comment either way,” the spokesperson stated in an e-mail.
Phil Hogan – an Irishman who was European Trade Commissioner and, in accordance with Breton, additionally attending the Davos assembly – didn’t instantly reply to an emailed request for remark.
Trump is the frontrunner to be the Republican nominee within the 2024 presidential election, with opinion polls predicting a decent contest in opposition to Biden within the November vote.
A spokesperson for Biden’s marketing campaign stated: “The idea that he would abandon our allies if he doesn’t get his way underscores what we already know to be true about Donald Trump: The only person he cares about is himself.”
Trump’s marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
During his first time period from 2017 to 2021, Trump repeatedly clashed with conventional allies over commerce and protection spending.
Trump himself has provided few clues concerning the international coverage he would pursue have been he to win in 2024 past broad claims like ending the Ukraine warfare in 24 hours, prompting concern in European capitals.
During a second time period, he would doubtless set up loyalists in key positions, permitting him extra freedom to enact isolationist insurance policies and whims, in accordance with present and former aides and diplomats.
Source: www.anews.com.tr