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Lloyd Austin's first call after being confirmed as defense secretary on Friday went to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the retired general announced on Twitter.

Why it matters: Former President Trump took office four years ago questioning NATO's relevance and value to the United States. President Biden and his team are sending just the opposite signal, with Austin emphasizing America's "steadfast commitment" to the alliance and signing off with "#WeAreNATO."

Lloyd Austin's first call as defense secretary goes to NATO

The contrast with Trump is clear, and intentional.

Austin during his confirmation hearing. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images

NATO

Lloyd Austin&#x27;s first call after being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="confirmed as defense secretary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/lloyd-austin-confirmed-defense-secretary-pentagon-42419f3f-6433-48a0-8e6a-46b25456fa4c.html" data-vars-content-id="d9c79b22-6078-4b3a-89a5-346f2602af7b" data-vars-headline="Lloyd Austin&#x27;s first call as defense secretary goes to NATO" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/lloyd-austin-confirmed-defense-secretary-pentagon-42419f3f-6433-48a0-8e6a-46b25456fa4c.html" target="_self">confirmed as defense secretary</a> on Friday went to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the retired general <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/LloydAustin/status/1352743790184902657" data-vars-content-id="d9c79b22-6078-4b3a-89a5-346f2602af7b" data-vars-headline="Lloyd Austin&#x27;s first call as defense secretary goes to NATO" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/LloydAustin/status/1352743790184902657" target="_blank">announced</a> on Twitter.Why it matters: Former President Trump took office four years ago questioning NATO&#x27;s relevance and value to the United States. President Biden and his team are sending just the opposite signal, with Austin emphasizing America&#x27;s &quot;steadfast commitment&quot; to the alliance and signing off with &quot;#WeAreNATO.&quot;

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

Lloyd Austin's first call as defense secretary goes to NATO

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