Former US President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the US presidency in November, assured that his recent threats to other member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are first and foremost “a way of negotiating”, during a televised show that aired yesterday Tuesday.

The billionaire caused panic in Europe when he threatened in February that he would no longer guarantee the protection of NATO member states against Russia if they did not pay their fair share.

His statements were strongly criticized by leaders of European countries and his Democratic opponent, the current president Joe Biden.

“It’s a way of negotiating,” explained the stormy businessman, referring to these comments, in his appearance on the show of Nigel Farage, a figure of the British extreme right.

“The US has to pay its fair share, but not for everybody,” Donald Trump said in an appearance on GB News TV.

He boasted that thanks to his controversial statements, the coffers of NATO were filled.

“They started paying thanks to those comments,” he claimed, without citing any specific example.

The Republican, who will face off against Joe Biden again on November 5, has often accused US NATO allies of not living up to their military spending commitments.

“Don’t forget that this is more important to them than to us, we have an ocean separating us from certain problems,” he said yesterday. “A big beautiful ocean.”