Trump's changed stance on Nato, will he sober up about IMF and WTO? | Barry Eichengreen

A reality check may force the US president to climb down on his 'America first' rhetoric and see the merit of international bodies

Donald Trump did not assume the US presidency as a committed multilateralist. On that, partisans of all political persuasions can agree. Among his most controversial campaign statements were some suggesting that Nato was obsolete, a position that bodes ill for his attitude to other multilateral organisations and alliances.

Last week, however, Trump stepped back, reassuring an audience at US Central Command in Tampa, Florida (the headquarters for US forces that operate in the Middle East). "We strongly support Nato," he declared, explaining that his "issue" with the alliance was one of full and proper financial contributions from all members, not fundamental security arrangements.