Trump: With America back in leadership role, NATO no longer ‘obsolete’

Donald Trump, acknowledging a change in NATO during a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, said he now believes NATO is relevant.

“I said it was obsolete. It is no longer obsolete,” Trump said Wednesday, citing the group’s recent anti-terror efforts.

The president also reaffirmed his demand that other NATO members do their part to keep the alliance strong in the face of growing challenges.

“In facing our common challenges, we must also ensure that NATO members meet their financial obligations and pay what they owe. Many have not been doing that,” Trump said. “The secretary general and I agree that other member nations must satisfy their responsibility to contribute 2% of GDP to defense. if other countries pay their fair share instead of relying on the United States to make up the difference, we will all be much more secure and our partnership will be made that much stronger.”

“I thank you for your attention to this issue,” Stoltenberg said. “We are already seeing the effects of your strong focus on the importance on burden sharing in the alliance.”