What is NATO and when did the U.S. join the alliance?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed in 1949 and there are now 32 countries in the Western alliance.
According to NATO, the organization was founded based on three principles: “Deterring Soviet expansionism, forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent, and encouraging European political integration.”
The U.S., Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom signed the Washington Treaty, or the North Atlantic Treaty, in April 1949.
The treaty, which still forms the basis of NATO today, consists of 14 Articles.
During his first term in the White House (and the early months of his second term), Trump aired his grievances with NATO, largely over defense spending and how much each member country contributes. He argued that the U.S. shouldn’t have to pay the most towards defense.
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