Donald Trump: Nato is no longer obsolete

Donald Trump meeting Theresa May - credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/PA Images

Donald Trump has softened his position on Nato, claiming the organisation is “no longer obsolete” as the military alliance now prioritises fighting terrorism.

After talks with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the US President reiterated his call for member states to meet the alliance’s two per cent of GDP defence spending target, but said he no longer considered the alliance obsolete.

At a joint press conference in the White House, he said: "The Secretary General and I had a productive discussion about what more Nato can do in the fight against terrorism."

"I complained about that a long time ago and they made a change, and now they do fight terrorism.

"I said it was obsolete. It's no longer obsolete."

He added: “If other countries pay their fair share instead of relying on the United States to make up the difference we will all be much more secure”.

It comes after months of concern among allies about Trump’s lukewarm remarks towards Nato in the run up to the US election.

He sparked unease before the 8 November vote after he said the US might not necessarily intervene on behalf of other Nato states unless they "fulfil their obligations" in terms of defence spending.

Stoltenberg yesterday thanked the President for “an excellent and very productive meeting”, while conceding that there is more work to be done to convince Nato members to increase their defence spending.