WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named former acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker as his choice for US ambassador to NATO.
Trump said Whitaker will strengthen relations with NATO partners and stand firm in the face of threats to peace and stability, reported German news agency (dpa).
“I have full confidence in Matt’s ability to represent the United States with Strength, Integrity, and unwavering Dedication,” the president-elect wrote in a statement.
Whitaker is a lawyer and took on the role as acting attorney general for a few months during Trump’s first term after the former president fired his then attorney general Jeff Sessions amid an investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign ahead of the 2016 election.
Whitaker’s appointment was closely watched given Trump’s comments about NATO.
Trump has long been a critic of the Western defence alliance, claiming that many European members are free-riders who don’t pay their way, relying instead on US taxpayers.
During his recent campaign, Trump said he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to NATO countries that are not spending enough on defence. – BERNAMA-dpa
