Vice President Mike Pence reassured the European Union of American commitment during a Monday stop at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Pence’s tone conflicted with President Donald Trump’s earlier this year, when he praised Brexit and called NATO “obsolete.”
“Whatever our differences, our two continents share the same heritage, the same values and above all the same purpose, to promote peace and prosperity through freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and to those objectives we will remain committed,” Pence said.
Pence said the world “needs NATO’s strength and leadership now more than ever before,” adding he believes other members need to step up and provide 2 percent of their GDP on defense. He made it clear, while the U.S. is an ally, Trump does not feel everyone is paying their “fair share.”
“As Secretary of Defense James Mattis said here in Belgium just a few shorts days ago, if you’re a nation that meets the two percent target, we need your help encouraging other nations to do likewise,” he said. “If you have a plan to get there, as he said, our alliance needs you to accelerate it. And if you don’t yet have a plan — and these are my words, not his — get one. It is time for actions, not words.”
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