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The Latest: President Trump meets NATO leaders as they try to show they are serious about defense
By The Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
U.S. President Donald Trump meets fellow NATO leaders at a summit on Tuesday as the alliance tries to persuade him that their countries are actively increasing their military capabilities while the American focus shifts away from defending Europe. Trump has been critical of NATO's abilities to fu...
Key takeaway Trump has been critical of NATO's abilities to function without American leadership and power, moving to withdraw [...
Why this matters in The Odessa
For the Permian Basin, the NATO summit's focus on defense spending has a direct connection to the local economy, which is heavily influenced by the oil and gas industry. A significant portion of the region's economic activity is tied to international trade and global stability. As the United States shifts its focus toward Asia, the potential impact on European defense could have ripple effects on the global energy market, potentially influencing oil prices and subsequently affecting the local economy. The region's residents, many of whom work in the energy sector, will be watching closely to see how the summit's discussions on defense and international cooperation play out, and how they may impact the local job market and economic growth. The Permian Basin's role as a major energy producer makes global geopolitical developments, like those discussed at the NATO summit, particularly relevant to the area's economic well-being.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? U.S. President Donald Trump meets fellow NATO leaders at a summit on Tuesday as the alliance tries to persuade him that their countries are actively increasing their military capabilities while the American focus shifts away from defending Europe. Trump has been critical of NATO's abilities to fu...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by The Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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