Diplomacy has a purpose. It should not be about soothing spoiled international children. It should not be motivated by the hope that no one will dislike us. It should not be about fawning, scraping, wringing our national hands, or hanging our heads in shame.

Instead, the purpose of American diplomacy should be to promote our security and vital interests. Without offense when possible. But if offenses come in defending the needs of our nation, so be it.

America is powerful, free, prosperous and indispensable. We should never apologize for the fact that. And we shouldn’t let the fact that even some of our friends are jealous of us, or are quick to criticize us, bother us. Too bad for them.

President Trump is not known for tact. It’s unlikely he will ever become skilled at the art of biting his tongue — and seeming to enjoy it. Courtesy is important in any relationship, whether with another person or another country. Yet there are times when being plain spoken in public is a need and a virtue.

Outspending Europe on Their Defense

The President has received his share of criticism for calling on our European allies to keep their word and help pay for their own defense. In his comments last week at the NATO summit, he observed that “the United States has spent more on defense in eight years than the other 27 member countries combined, and that 23 of the countries still don’t meet a NATO target of spending 2 percent of their respective nations’ economic output on defense.”

It’s about time. Under President Obama, NATO nations “agreed in 2014 to stop cutting their military spending and to start increasing it ‘toward’ two percent of their gross domestic product by 2024.”

Let’s get that straight: Over 10 years, some of the world’s most prosperous nations might edge toward paying a wee bit more for their own protection against Russia and international terrorism.

That is not just irresponsible but tawdry. America has borne the great burden of Europe’s safety for more than 70 years. Isn’t it time NATO kicks-in more, if for no other reason than appreciation for our sacrifice?

Our allies have proven the truth of the old adage that talk is cheap. In 2006, they committed to “the target of 2 percent of GDP” for defense spending. “At the time six members reached the threshold; last year (2016) five did.” Having not kept their promise, they gave it again in 2014, with no apparent change.

The fact that President Trump is insisting that our NATO partners step up and honor their commitments, not to mention honoring the scores of thousands of Americans who gave their lives defeating Hitler and Mussolini, should create a common response in all Americans: It’s about time.

Yes, our generosity has always had an aspect of self-interest. Europe is important to our security. Defending our allies there kept the Soviet Union at bay far from American shores.

Yet our actions in defending and rebuilding Europe have also been motivated by some basic American values: decency, honor, courage and liberty.

A History of Sacrifice

During the early years of the Cold War, Europe was in the process of what today we might call “rebooting.” The nations of the Old World reconstructed entire cities. They rebuilt their industries. Germany and Italy had to put fascism and all its evil works behind them. But they couldn’t have done it without us.

After saving Western civilization through the bravery and sacrifice of America’s fighting men, America again came to rescue with the Marshall Plan. From 1948 through 1951, this initiative provided 16 devastated European nations with a total of $13 billion in American aid. That’s about $120 billion in today’s dollars. We provided “administrative and technical assistance (and) shipments of food, staples, fuel and machinery (which) later resulted in investment in industrial capacity in Europe.”

What of defense spending? From 1946-1988, that is, the Cold War, America spent a total of $6.3 trillion on defense. This accounted for an average of 7.6 percent of our Gross National Product annually for more than four decades.

America’s service personnel have spent ample time preparing to fight again on European soil. From 1950 through 2000, Germany alone hosted more than 10 million of our men and women in uniform.

I don’tt write to justify everything President Trump has said about NATO, Europe, or Russia or China, for that matter. My point is this: It’s past time for America to keep bearing a burden that can and should be shared by those for whom we bear it.

Europeans, Stop Complaining

In the early 1990s, my wife and I hosted a young German woman at our home for dinner. Given that three of my grandparents were German immigrants, I’m interested in Germany and usually enjoy talking with people from the land of my ancient fathers.

It’s refreshing to have a president who puts America at the front-and-center of his foreign policy.

This time was a bit different. At one point, our guest blurted out, “I hate America.” Seeking to be a courteous host, I asked why. She said she hated our roads — they were nowhere near as good as the highways and streets of Germany.

I told her that over the previous 50 years, my country had spent trillions of dollars defending hers. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, I suggested that perhaps now we would have more resources to building better freeways.

Her eyes grew wide and a look of shock appeared on her face. I’m glad. Shame over one’s rudeness and ignorance is a healthy impulse. Sadly, her attitude seems much too widely shared by her contemporaries.

So instead of belittling the President Trump for speaking-up for America’s interests and speaking about Europe’s weakness and apathy, maybe we should be grateful. After eight years of Barack Obama’s timidity, it’s refreshing to have a president who puts America at the front-and-center of his foreign policy.

Certain Europeans need to quit whining. They should say thank you. And then start paying their fair share for their own security.