EDITORIAL: Trump’s a bully — but he does have a point
Article content
On the one hand, former U.S. president Donald Trump’s statement that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever it wants,” to any NATO member that hasn’t met its funding obligations, is an irrational and dangerous invitation to a murderous leader who’s already wreaked havoc on its democratic neighbour by invading Ukraine.
Trump almost certainly will be the Republican candidate in the November presidential election. His statement is sending shock waves through Europe. Leaders in NATO view it as an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump appears to admire, to wreak more misery by declaring war on weaker members of the alliance.
Recommended Videos
tap here to see other videos from our team.
EDITORIAL: Trump’s a bully — but he does have a point Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
At a recent campaign event, Trump claimed he’d had a conversation with the leader of a “big country” in NATO, that went as follows:
“I said, ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent … No, I would not protect you; in fact I would encourage them (the Russians) to do whatever they want. You gotta pay,’” he said.
That’s dangerous and reprehensible and flies in the face of history. The West has learned through two world wars that violent dictators exploit weakness and capitulation on the part of democratic countries of the world.
On the other hand, his words should come as a wake up call to countries like Canada that rely on the U.S. to do the heavy lifting on defence.
Right now, the U.S. is arming and supporting two major conflicts — one in the Middle East and the other in Ukraine.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Since the end of the Second World War, democracies have looked to the U.S. as the dominant world military power.
While Trump’s ugly threat is an invitation to Russia to launch a third world war, it also should be a warning to Canada and Europe that we must step up in these dark and dangerous times.
Asked about Trump’s statement, Defence Minister Bill Blair said he didn’t want to get drawn into “political rhetoric in another country.”
But he is the defence minister and it’s time for this country to ramp up funding to meet the 2% of its Gross Domestic Product commitment to NATO.
Too bad NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh didn’t include defence of this country in his laundry list of costly demands. Dental care, pharmacare and daycare don’t count for much if the Russian bear is at your border.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.