The Trump administration is right to push European allies to urgently spend significantly more on defense. It should also be noted that tentative but significant moves by European powers to increase defense spending would not have occurred had Trump not retaken office. President Donald Trump’s Defense Department team further deserves praise for refocusing U.S. military assets away from Europe and the Middle East to the Pacific (though tensions with Iran/the Houthis in Yemen risk undermining this effort).

Still, if the administration is to successfully persuade allies to do more for their own defense, it has to do so in a manner that is both fair and respectful. Unfortunately, it failed that test on Thursday.