The President of the Storting: – The Americans do not want to leave NATO

Ahead of the NATO summit, Gharakhani has toured the Midwest together with parliamentary politicians Trond Helleland (H) and Sverre Myrli (Ap).

They have met both Norwegian-Americans and the grassroots in the Democratic and Republican parties in Chicago, Decorah and Minneapolis, Gharahkhani tells NTB.

Many are worried, he says.

– Not met a single NATO opponent

– They are worried regarding the economy, they are worried that two elderly men are not appealing for the changes they want, and they are calling for greater cooperation for the good of the country. They want politicians who show a greater willingness to cooperate in times of crisis, says the president of the Storting.

– I have met a wide range of people, but not a single opponent of Nato. On the contrary, there seems to be great support for NATO, and I have also received very positive reactions to the fact that we are strengthening our Norwegian contributions to the alliance, he says.

There has been much speculation as to whether Donald Trump will withdraw the US from NATO if he becomes president once more. But few people now believe that he will do that.

Trump shocked

But what he will do as eventual leader of NATO’s most powerful member is an open question.

In February, he shocked the NATO countries by stating that those who do not pay for themselves, i.e. spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defence, cannot count on American help if they are attacked and he is president.

In the US, skepticism regarding getting involved in wars far away is also increasing, says Gharahkhani.

– This applies to both Republicans and Democrats. I respect that, he says.

– Stronger together

In the meetings with the American grassroots, the President of the Storting has therefore emphasized talking regarding the importance of NATO.

– Not only for Norway, but also for the USA. The United States has many friends and allies. America’s enemies and challengers cannot say the same. And the point of Nato is that we are stronger together, he asserts.