US President Joe Biden swore in Helsinki that the US would defend Finland in the future as well.
Ylen US Correspondent Iida Tikan question president For Joe Biden at Thursday’s press conference has been brought up in the US media. Tikka asked Biden what he plans to do to ensure that the United States is a reliable NATO ally for Europe in the future as well.
“President Biden was confused and answered the reporter angrily that he doesn’t even know if he will get home in the evening”, US newspaper The New York Post write.
– I can completely guarantee it. Citizens and both parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly support NATO, excluding the more extreme positions of the other party, Biden answered the question, referring to the Republican Party.
– The future cannot be guaranteed, but these are the best possible guarantees.
Tikka asked the president of the republic next From Sauli Niinistö, whether US domestic political instability can undermine US commitment to NATO. Before Niinistö could answer, Biden cut in.
– I did not say that the future cannot be guaranteed. You can’t even tell me if you’ll make it home tonight. No one can predict the future, but I say as surely as anyone can say that the United States will not leave NATO, Biden answered emphatically.
According to Tika, Biden has lashed out at reporters before.
– Biden is still not used to the situation where he is required to be specific in a press conference. Biden’s communication is often full of catchphrases, says Tikka.
Tikka: It’s strange that Biden has not supported the bill supporting the continuation of NATO in the United States
The question has also been raised by, for example news channel CNN and Reuters news agency. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki evaluate news channel on MSNBCthat Biden is trying to hold on to the ex-president Donald Trump’s about the allied relations that were broken during the period, which he has worked hard to rebuild.
– It was an apt question, because the decades-long consensus about our norms, politics, NATO and values changed during Trump’s time. This has made several of our allies nervous, says Psaki.
In his speech in Helsinki, Biden emphasized how the United States is committed to defending Finland. Already in his keynote address at the end of the Vilnius NATO summit, Biden uttered lofty words about NATO’s unity.
However, according to close advisers of Biden’s predecessor, Trump, it was close to Trump pulling the United States out of NATO. There is a presidential election in the United States next year.
– In his answer, Biden avoided the fact that a law has been proposed three times in the United States, which would make the United States’ NATO membership no longer dependent on the good will of the president. This law would require that the decision to withdraw always has the support of the Senate, says Tikka.
– Frankly, it is strange that Biden has not already strongly supported this bill, because it would suit his promises to stand by Europe.
According to Tika, the problem in the United States is that presidents have very broad powers. Many things are based on belief in common norms instead of laws.
– In the Trump era, we saw that in a polarized atmosphere there can be norms that can be freely broken because they are not protected by the law.