VP Mike Pence presents Trump Admin policy to NATO

Vice President Mike Pence’s tour of Europe, the Trump administration’s debut on the continent, began with Pence attending the Munich Security Conference over the weekend. After touring the historic Dachau concentration camp on Sunday, Pence visited NATO and EU Commission Headquarters in Brussels today.

In Munich, Pence set out the administration’s NATO policy.

“Today, on behalf of President Trump, I bring you this assurance,” Pence said in opening comments. “The United States of America strongly supports NATO and will be unwavering in our commitment to our transatlantic alliance.”

The Vice President also reiterated President Trump’s campaign pledge to get NATO members to increase military spending.

“The President of the United States and the American people expect our allies to keep their word and to do more in our common defense,” said Pence in a joint press conference Monday with Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General. “And the president expects real progress by the end of 2017.”

Productive meeting with @jensstoltenberg. Under @POTUS, the U.S. strongly supports @NATO because a stronger NATO means a safer world. pic.twitter.com/Sxd1T0x39j

— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) February 20, 2017

NATO's enhanced forward presence is a clear demonstration of transatlantic unity and resolve https://t.co/QHMVtjkVAB #eFP pic.twitter.com/LONbOFXtbs

— NATO (@NATO) February 18, 2017

The Trump administration has inherited parts of President Obama’s NATO policy. At present, NATO has 4 battalions stationed in Poland and the Baltic States, to which the United States has contributed more than 1,000 soldiers. These forces are stationed as a trip wire, ensuring that the countries participating in the deployment have a human stake in any potential conflict.

On Friday, Germany’s Defense Minister and PM Angela Merkel affirmed that Germany would be increasing NATO support and military spending to 2% of its GDP by 2024.