NATO is now facing a shift where Europe will take significantly greater responsibility for its own security, says Maria Malmer Stenergard in the Riksdag rostrum as she reads the government's foreign policy declaration.
She criticizes the Trump administration in the declaration, which shows the government's priorities.
It is clear that the United States is increasingly acting in a way that undermines trust and contradicts Europe's values of global cooperation and international law.
The security policy architecture that has made Sweden safe is being challenged, she emphasizes, while NATO membership “makes our country safer.” The United States remains crucial to Swedish and European security.
But Europe's relationship with the United States is now entering a new era.
Trusting
She says that the issue now is maintaining the political and military credibility of Article 5 of the NATO Treaty – the one about “one for all, all for one.” The US's willingness to live up to it, under President Trump, has been questioned.
The Foreign Minister says she still trusts the US.
"Unequivocally yes. We can trust that they are there if we need them in the event of an armed attack," Malmer Stenergard tells TT.
But at the same time, their way of expressing themselves, threatening tariffs and taking allies' territory, does not create trust.
V: Trump is dangerous
She rejects criticism from Håkan Svenneling, the Left Party's foreign policy spokesperson, that the government has been too uncritical, evasive and has refused to see clearly what the Trump administration stands for.
I'm not going to express myself emotionally just because Håkan Svenneling wants me to.
The relationship with the United States will continue to be important, regardless of the administration.
Social Democrats spokesperson Morgan Johansson welcomes the government now toughening its tone.
You can't treat Trump with flattery and condescension, says Johansson.
SD's Aron Emilsson describes the world situation as a "time of great chaos" where old friends become new enemies. The US president is unpredictable and erratic, he says.
We can no longer assume that the United States is always a stable ally.
Support for Ukraine
The Foreign Minister reiterates that support for Ukraine is Sweden's top foreign policy priority and that pressure on Russia must continue.
Support for Ukraine is a moral duty and an investment in Europe's security, independence and future, she says.
