Donald Trump, as US president, told senior European officials that the United States would never help Europe if it was attacked, Reuters reports.
Thierry Breton, the French commissioner in charge of the European Union’s internal market, made the statement. He said Trump made the remarks to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2020.
Breton spoke about the meeting, which he also attended, at a panel discussion in Brussels on Tuesday. His comments drew sharp criticism of Trump on Wednesday from US President Joe Biden’s campaign. Breton quoted Trump as saying during the Davos meeting:
“You need to understand that if Europe is under attack, we will never come to help you and to support you. By the way, NATO is dead, and we will leave, we will quit NATO. And by the way, you owe me $400 billion, because you didn’t pay, you Germans, what you had to pay for defence.”
Asked whether von der Leyen’s recollection of Trump’s remarks coincided with Breton’s views, a spokeswoman for the European Commission president had no comment. The spokesperson said in an email:
“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.”
Phil Hogan – an Irishman who served as trade commissioner for Europe and, according to Breton, also attended the Davos meeting – did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Trump is the top Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential election. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump has repeatedly clashed with traditional allies over trade and defence spending.
Trump himself has given few clues about what foreign policy he would pursue if he wins in 2024, going beyond general statements like ending the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, which has caused unease in European capitals.
