Joe Biden Subtly Criticizes Trump in NATO Speech “This Remarkable Progress is Proof”
(AP)
President Joe Biden made a pointed comment about his Republican opponent during his NATO speech without even mentioning Donald Trump’s name. At the beginning of his address, Biden highlighted the significant progress NATO has made under his leadership. He noted that only nine countries were contributing the agreed-upon 2 percent of their GDP to defense when he took office.
“Nearly four years into my administration, 23 NATO countries are paying the 2 percent on defense,” Biden said. “The year 2020, the year I was elected president, only nine NATO allies were spending 2% of their defense GDP on defense. This year, 23 will spend at least 2%. And some will spend more than that. And the remaining countries that have not yet reached that milestone will get theirs soon.
This remarkable progress is proof that our commitment is broad and deep. That we’re ready. That we’re willing. We’re able to deter aggression and defend every inch of NATO territory across every domain. Land. Air. Sea. Cyber and space.” Biden emphasized the importance of this achievement, especially in the current global context. “My friends, it’s good we’re stronger than ever because this moment in history calls for our collective strength, reported BBC.
Autocrats will overturn the world order, which has, by and large, been kept for nearly 80 years and counting. Terrorist groups continue to plot evil schemes. Cause mayhem and chaos and suffering. In Europe, [Vladmir] Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues. And Putin wants nothing less, nothing less than Ukraine’s total subjugation.”
Biden’s remarks come amid growing concern among world leaders about the possibility of a second Trump presidency, as reported by the Washington Post. Trump has previously expressed his willingness to have the U.S. leave NATO and demanded that NATO countries “fork over the cash.” He claimed that a world leader once asked him about the U.S. commitment to its allies if they hadn’t paid their 2% GDP contribution.
“I said: ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’… ‘No I would not protect you, in fact, I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You gotta pay,'” Trump told a rally crowd in February. Trump had frequently complained about NATO contributions during his presidency but was unable to achieve significant changes. Biden, however, has managed to secure the contributions in less than four years, highlighting a stark contrast between the two administrations.
Biden’s subtle jab underscores the effectiveness of his administration’s efforts in strengthening NATO and ensuring greater financial commitment from its members, contrasting sharply with Trump’s rhetoric and actions.
