US ‘unfairly’ forced to bear NATO financial burden: WH

The US has been “unfairly” forced to bear the financial burden of NATO, the White House has said, ahead of President Donald Trump’s Europe visit next week which includes attending a summit of the 29-member bloc in Brussels.

The remarks by the White House yesterday came amid reports that during the NATO Summit, Trump would be asking its member countries and leaders to increase their spendings on defence.

“As you guys know, he (Trump) has shown some frustration there on the financial burden that the United States unfairly is forced to bear, and he wants changes,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters travelling with the President aboard Air Force One.

“That is something he’s been very clear about,” he added. Before returning home, Trump would also hold his maiden summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland on July 16.

The White House yesterday insisted that it is important to have better relationship with Russia.

“We think it’s important to have a good relationship with Russia because the President feels as though there are times when you need to work with Russia in very shared areas of interest like preventing terrorism,” Gidley said.

“But, as you know, he’s also been the toughest on Russia of any other President. And when it’s time to work with Russia, it’s time to work with Russia. And when it’s not, it’s not. And he’s been pretty clear about that,” he said.