NATO, the Western military alliance, is staring at a potential collapse with Donald Trump again expressing his dissatisfaction, saying the US is strongly considering pulling out following the allies’ failure to join the conflict in Iran and helping open the Strait of Hormuz through military.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Trump said he was “never swayed by NATO and always knew that they were a paper tiger”. He further added that removing the US from the defence treaty is now “beyond reconsideration”.
It is the clearest indication yet that the White House no longer sees Europe as a dependable defence partner, after allies rejected Trump’s demand to deploy warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Why is Trump miffed with NATO?
Asked whether he would reconsider the USโs membership of NATO following the conflict, Trump said, “Oh yes, I would say it is beyond reconsideration. I was never convinced by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too.”
Trump has been left infuriated byย the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) nations over their refusal to help reopen Hormuz, a critical waterway through which around 30 per cent of the world’s oil and energy is supplied from the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked by Iran in retaliation for large-scale US and Israeli strikes on its territory during the ongoing conflict, which began on February 28.
Learn to fight for yourself: Trump tells NATO
Earlier, Trump hit out at the UK and other allies, suggesting that they fight for themselves and get their own oil from Hormuz. The retort was again in response to the countries’ muted response in the conflict against Iran.
“All of those countries that canโt get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,”ย he wrote.
“Youโll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA. wonโt be there to help you anymore, just like you werenโt there for us,” Trump added.
Also read:ย UK PM Starmer snubs Trump on Iran, announces summit to reopen Hormuz