America's first director of national intelligence, John Negroponte, expressed disappointment President Donald Trump "didn't come out with an absolutely categorical commitment to security of the NATO countries" this week.
"I think that was a disappointment," Negroponte told "The Cats Roundtable" on 970 AM-N.Y. of coming short of supporting Article 5 of the NATO charter.
"It was to me. I am sure it was to the Europeans."
Article 5 "says an attack on one is an attack on all," Negroponte told host John Catsimatidis.
"There are issues to be worked out there," Negroponte said, but adding President Trump's statements might have been misplaced.
"I don't think it's trivial," Negroponte added, agreeing with President Trump's stance all NATO countries should be "paying a fair share." "I think it is a question of emphasis, and whether you put that up front and don't talk about the mutuality of our commitment [to NATO countries].
"Everybody should pay their fair share . . . It was a question of emphasis. And I think he got the emphasis wrong."
Negroponte suggested President Trump should have led with diplomacy in order to help reach his goal of financial commitments.
"Stress the friendship, stress the relationship, and stress the commitment to each other," Negroponte said.
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