Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper has expressed concern over former President Donald Trump's comments encouraging Russia to disregard NATO countries that do not meet their defense spending obligations. In an interview, Esper stated that such remarks were un-American and sent the wrong message to allies and adversaries alike. He emphasized that words matter and revealed his belief that Trump's disdain for NATO and desire to withdraw from the alliance were cause for concern if he were to return to office.
Esper highlighted the potential consequences of Trump's statements, stating that they could be interpreted as a green light for Putin to attack a NATO ally or a neighboring country. Although he considered such a scenario unlikely, he stressed that it conveyed a negative message to autocratic leaders like China's Xi Jinping, who is eyeing Taiwan aggressively. The former Defense Secretary argued that the repercussions of Trump's comments extended beyond Europe, affecting allies in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and other regions facing aggressive actions by autocrats.
