Only Trump posted NATO allies to pay their unpaid dues. Europe and other wealthy places should be capable of defending themselves rather than the United States being their uncompensated security force. Doesn’t mean we can’t be the biggest and best just that our blood and treasure shouldn’t be the only sacrifice in conflicts that have little to do with our interests. Trump rebuilt the military and pursued an aggressive strategy of trade relationships. He tried to sell North Korea on western style economic prosperity even creating a mock resort destination video. Engagement was key for Trump. Trump was a wild card but Trump also many times told Europe to avoid getting dependent on Nordstream 2 and Russian energy. He understood it out Europe at a strategic risk. It’s his strategic engagement and advocating allies to react in their self interest that defies the narrative that Trump was Putin’s puppet. His America First along with buy and hire American themes were proven true by Covid and the supply chain disruptions. He upset a lot of allies because he was holding them accountable.
Mostly agreed, but we have to be very careful about “Europe and other wealthy places should be capable of defending themselves”. NATO was set up the way it was not only because of fear of Russian ambitions and Europe at the time badly drained, but because of the nature and history of Europe itself. Without the USA as sort of the glue to hold it together, and the force needed to add to NATO to win overwhelmingly in a major war, great danger lurks in Europe under it’s present veneer.
I’d say the old guideline of 2% of Euro countries’ GDP, in times with no large threat in the near term, is still fine. After, say, 2008? 3%.