Despite rumors that the Trump administration is attempting to reduce US funding for the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance ( NATO ), US State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce refuted these claims.
Bruce stated at a press conference on Tuesday ( local time ) that the US is still committed to NATO and is trying to deter conflicts by not supporting wars, fighting them, or funding them. She claimed that Nato was intended to be a group of organizations that may stop bad actors from acting badly.
When asked if the Trump administration would consider ending cash for UN and NATO, Bruce responded,” That’s once, that’s from a history that is looking at a letter that was leaked or not from a program that is a proposal. However, I can tell you that the term “exclude” actually makes me anxious when I see it. I went to NATO with the Secretary to attend that conference. The one concept that was conveyed throughout every meeting, every minute, every stanza, every bilateral meeting, and every intergovernmental meeting was that the Secretary of State of the United States reiterated our unwavering commitment to NATO, just as did the President of the United States.
What we furthermore want in our commitment is that we make sure and assist in making sure that the countries in Nato you really fulfill their goal, which is to serve as a deterrent. It is not to aid in war, to fight them, to account them, to make things a little bit better while the wars are ongoing. Nato was intended to be a collection of organizations that may prevent bad actors from acting badly because it would be very, very poor for them if they did it. And at this point, it’s obvious that we have nations that need to improve their defense spending, not because we’re cruel but because we’re committed to NATO. And Nato must be what it was rumored to be and what it wants to be at first,” she continued.
Bruce argued that” the reports that the department may stop funding for Nato” don’t be further from the truth,” describing it as “fear-mongering” that “understandably upsets individuals.” When Trump releases the budget expenses and sends it to Congress, she noted that there will be many to explain.
Tammy Bruce once said,” I have to tell you that there is recognition of this fact at NATO- the acknowledgement that it was an important factor without exception. And that’s where the story about Nato getting money eliminated could not possibly be more accurate. This is about strengthening Nato, and making Nato, dare I suggest it, wonderful once more. But that’s where it escalates into “fear monger,” which is rightly grating on the part of the audience.
” But as I’ve said with different- with the other overview we’ve had with foreign aid, some things will change,” he said.” But it doesn’t think that we’ve changed our commitment to something, but it might seem different. That if additional countries are actually uniting and raising their commitments and contributions, next Nato is stronger. But, in my opinion, one of the things that every family does is care for one another, be sincere, and help others solve their problems. Nothing could possibly be further from the fact, and commenting on numbers they may have is not valuable. But that history comes from the same debate that has come from various documents that are moving around. When President Trump releases and sends his budget bill to Congress, there will be lots to talk about, she continued.
According to an internal memo outlining a downsizing plan being seriously considered by department leaders, The New York Times reported, citing two officials, reports suggested the Trump administration could reduce nearly 50 % of the State Department’s funding next fiscal year.
The memo proposes cutting almost all funding for international organizations like the UN and Nato, cutting the budget for supporting international peacekeeping operations, and reducing departmental educational and cultural exchanges, such as the Fulbright Program.
Additionally, the memo proposes cutting funding for global health and humanitarian aid by more than 50 %. The memo, which was dated April 10, was not immediately clear whether US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had supported the changes. Additionally, it wasn’t clear whether Congress would take the proposed cuts seriously.
According to a US official with knowledge of the department’s review, the White House is likely to send Congress a budget proposal this spring that is comparable to what the memo specifies in an effort to pressure lawmakers to formalize reducing efforts that are already being done, according to The New York Times.
