They don’t need the destroyer. They’ve got us.
This is what Trump talks about. Nations that we help protect should chip in to help pay for some of our costs related to their safety.
Europe has skated for a long time.
We shouldn’t gouge them, but they should give us a rather sizeable sum too.
You’re right about that.
Also, it’s hypocritical to condemn Americans for being warlike; while we depend on American military power for our own defense.
If allies increase their military powers, the U.S. could reduce military spending by a proportionate amount. That way, the US wouldn’t need to be “warlike”, and the rest of us can stop free-riding. *
* Note: for any of that to work, the U.S. needs to start doing a much better job of picking enemies and friends, and making strategy. Don’t expect much support for continuing the fiasco of the past decade.