BRUSSELS — NATO countries are preparing for what allies describe as a worst-case outcome in Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections.
Five NATO diplomats, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the issue, said European governments fear a Republican defeat could lead President Donald Trump to significantly intensify his criticism of the alliance.
Their concern is that congressional limits on Trump’s domestic agenda could push him to focus more heavily on foreign policy, where he has greater freedom of action as commander-in-chief of the U.S. military. Three of the diplomats said that could include removing thousands more American troops from Europe.
The diplomats’ concerns center on the possibility that Trump could use foreign policy to shape his presidential legacy if constrained on domestic issues.
Sources: Politico Europe.