Trump says NATO will do nothing for the US

(SeaPRwire) –   The US president has criticized alliance members for refusing to participate in a collaborative mission to ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has strongly condemned NATO countries for not joining the US-Israeli offensive against Iran, calling the alliance a “one-way street” that the US has never truly required.

These comments followed a day when US allies, among them NATO states, dismissed or refused Trump’s request to participate in a “team effort” to protect the Strait of Hormuz. This vital shipping lane, which carries about 20% of global oil transported by sea, has been largely shut down due to the current hostilities.

Trump stated he was “not surprised” by the lack of any action from allies. “We provide protection for them, yet they offer nothing in return, especially when we need it,” he posted on Truth Social on Tuesday.

He further asserted that the US had secured significant military victories over Iran entirely on its own.

“We neither “need” nor want help from NATO nations — WE NEVER HAVE,” he stated, noting that Washington also does not need support from other partners like Japan, South Korea, or Australia.

Earlier this month, ex-NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg stated in an interview with CBC that there was no certainty the US-led alliance would endure through Trump’s term in office.

Trump has frequently attacked NATO and issued threats to members who resisted his policies or requests, fueling speculation that the bloc might disintegrate.

Last year, Trump attempted to increase the defense spending goal for NATO members to 5% of GDP and consistently criticized Spain for rejecting the target. In early March, he warned Madrid of a trade embargo due to its stance and its denial of access to shared military bases for Iranian strikes.

Earlier this year, he also proposed tariffs against eight NATO states that stood against his bid to purchase Greenland, a self-governing region of Denmark within the alliance. Reports suggest Trump even mulled deploying troops to the island before dropping the plan.