Trump Is Committed To NATO, Says Theresa May
Theresa May said she has received assurances in private phone calls with US President Donald Trump of his commitment to the future of NATO.
Mr Trump's attitude to the trans-Atlantic military alliance - to which the US is by far the biggest contributor of troops and resources - has caused consternation in European capitals, after he described it on the campaign trail as "obsolete".
Speaking ahead of her first meeting with Mr Trump in the White House on Friday, Mrs May made clear she will make a strong case for the continued importance of NATO in ensuring the security of the West.
She described NATO as the "heart" of the special relationship between the UK and US which grew out of their military alliances in the two World Wars.
"Obviously the purpose of this trip - and I'm pleased I'm going there so early in the administration - is to build on the special relationship," said the Prime Minister.
"I think the special relationship between the UK and the US has been an important part of security across the world, particularly for the West. Of course, at the heart of that is NATO.
We are committed to NATO. From the conversations I've already had with President Trump over the phone, he has shown to me his commitment to NATO as well.
"I believe a strong NATO has been the bulwark of our defence in Europe. Obviously, that's important and in the UK's national interest.
I think it's in the US national interest."
Like Mr Trump - who has accused some European states of failing to pay their way - Mrs May has pressed for all NATO members to meet the target of spending 2% of GDP on defence.
Only a handful of member states, including Britain and the US, currently fulfil this pledge.
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