Nato-Sceptic Trump Fires A Wake-Up Call To Europe

The annual meeting of western leaders and security officials in Munich was held this year under a dark cloud of foreboding surrounding Donald Trump's potential return to the US presidency.

- Julian Borger

European governments have been shaken by Trump's apparent strength, and Joe Biden's weakness, in swing states, and what the former president has said this month about Nato.

Trump reportedly contemplated withdrawal from Nato in his first term, and in recent statements he has made clear that, at the very least, he would not order American troops to go to the defence of any alliance member against Russia that had not spent the Nato target of 2% of GDP on defence.

"No, I would not protect you," Trump recalled telling an unnamed head of state of an important Nato member. "In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay your bills."