The United States is spending far more on NATO than any other Country. This is not fair, nor is it acceptable. While these countries have been increasing their contributions since I took office, they must do much more. Germany is at 1%, the U.S. is at 4%, and NATO benefits.......— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2018
...Europe far more than it does the U.S. By some accounts, the U.S. is paying for 90% of NATO, with many countries nowhere close to their 2% commitment. On top of this the European Union has a Trade Surplus of $151 Million with the U.S., with big Trade Barriers on U.S. goods. NO!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2018
New York Times: NATO Allies Prepare to Push Back at Trump (but Not Too Much)
BRUSSELS — NATO summit meetings were once ritualistic events, with the member nations assembling to proclaim that the alliance had never been stronger and pledging to work together on the security issues of the day.
In the Trump era, however, they have become anxiety-producing confrontations where the main object is to avoid long-term damage to the alliance. For the allies, that has meant figuring out how to handle President Trump, who arrives on Tuesday for this year’s summit meeting having already sent letters to some NATO member countries pressuring them to expand their military budgets.
The allies see the President Trump of 2018 as different from the one who came to NATO last year — more aggressive, less willing to be moderated or guided by his senior staff and cabinet secretaries, more confident, especially after his meeting with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, in his own diplomatic prowess. They worry about his propensity for off-the-cuff pronouncements, like calling for abandoning sanctions against Russia or suspending NATO military exercises.
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More News On President Trump And What To Expect At This Week's NATO Summit
Trump criticizes NATO members ahead of summit -- Politico
Nervous Nato partners wonder whether the transatlantic alliance can survive Trump -- SCMP/The Guardian
Stung By Trump At G-7, Allies Look For Better Outcome At NATO Summit -- Ayesha Rascoe, NPR
5 things to watch as Trump heads to NATO summit -- Rebecca Kheel, The Hill
What to watch as Trump heads to Europe -- Jonathan Swan, Axios
Trump is the skunk at NATO's garden party -- Michael D'Antonio, CNN
Ahead of NATO summit, allies wonder: Will NATO survive Trump? -- Washington Post