‘They will do nothing for us’ – Trump on NATO
US President Donald Trump has criticized other NATO nations’ unwillingness to join the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, calling the bloc a “one-way street” that America has never really needed.
The remarks came a day after US allies, including NATO members, ignored or rejected Trump’s call to join a “team effort” to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The key waterway, which is used to transport 20% of the world’s seaborne crude oil, has been effectively closed amid the conflict.
The president said he is not surprised by the allies’ inaction. “We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,” he wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.
He went on to claim that the US achieved major military success against Iran without any assistance.
“We no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID,” he wrote, adding that the US does not need any help from other allies, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Earlier this month, former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told CBC there are no guarantees that the US-led bloc will survive Trump’s presidency.
Trump has criticized NATO and threatened members who opposed his policies or demands, leading to speculation that the bloc could collapse.
Last year, Trump pushed to raise NATO members’ defense spending target to 5% of GDP and slammed Spain for rejecting the pledge. In early March, he threatened Madrid with a trade embargo over its position, as well as its refusal to allow US forces to use joint military bases for strikes on Iran.
Earlier this year, he also threatened tariffs on eight NATO members who opposed his efforts to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, which is part of the bloc. Trump reportedly even considered sending troops to the island before abandoning the idea.
