Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, one of three likely 2024 White House hopefuls to join the upcoming GOP debate stage next month, reportedly said that the notion of the United States “reevaluating” its United Nations member or potentially pulling out of NATO is “reasonable.”
Ramaswamy made the remarks to Politico in Iowa.
He was asked to reply to a recent Rolling Stones article claiming former President Donald Trump had been talked out of backing out of NATO during his first term and was now considering – if he gets elected again – of ensuring the United States only maintains a “standby” position in the transatlantic military alliance formed after World War II.
“It’s a reasonable idea that I have considered,” Ramaswamy told Politico, considering the idea but falling short of committing to doing so if elected.
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Republican presidential candidate businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speaks to guests at the third annual MMM Tailgate celebration hosted by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) on Oct. 20, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“I am also open to reevaluating U.S. involvement in the UN,” he reportedly added without elaborating.
Ramaswamy has frequently butted heads with GOP presidential rival Nikki Haley, Trump’s former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and more of a traditionalist on foreign policy.
Ramaswamy greets guests at the third annual MMM Tailgate celebration hosted by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-IA, on Oct. 20, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The two, as well as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, will take to the third GOP presidential debate stage in Miami on Nov. 8. It’s unlikely Trump, who skipped the first two, will participate.
Sources told Rolling Stone that, if elected, Trump does not want to fill his next administratio with “NATO lovers.” The debate comes amid the Israel-Hamas war, as Ramaswamy has urged members of Congress to vote against President Biden’s proposed $106 billion aid package to the Jewish state and Ukraine.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the 2023 First in the Nation Leadership Summit on Oct. 13, 2023 in Nashua, New Hampshire. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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“The U.S. should be clear with Israel that further U.S. support is contingent on Israel identifying clear objectives for success in Gaza and a coherent plan for what comes after toppling Hamas even if Israel is successful in doing so,” Ramaswamy told Politico on Saturday. “As of now, these critical questions remain unanswered.”