President Donald Trump says he is seriously considering withdrawing the United States from NATO, calling the alliance a “paper tiger” after European allies failed to support Washington’s operations in Iran.
Trump told reporters that NATO “wasn’t there for the U.S.” during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pointing out that America had stepped in automatically while allies did not offer the same support. “It was a test, and we were there for them. They weren’t there for us,” he said.
Trump’s criticism of the alliance is long-standing. Even before his 2016 election, he described NATO as “obsolete” and warned it cost the U.S. a “fortune.”
Last week, he suggested the U.S. may no longer “be there” for its allies if they fail to step up.
He also criticized European nations for not acting quickly during the Iran conflict, saying, “I’m so disappointed in NATO. This was a test: you can help us you don’t have to, but … if you don’t, we’re going to remember.”
Trump singled out UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling him “no Churchill,” for initially refusing to allow U.S. forces to use British bases for operations targeting Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
London eventually allowed the U.S. to use its bases for self-defense purposes, but Trump said the country “took far too long” to change its stance.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes, has become a focal point in the conflict with Iran.
Trump has urged NATO allies to help reopen the waterway after Iranian attacks disrupted shipping.
Trump’s comments signal growing frustration with NATO and could signal a major shift in U.S. foreign policy if he follows through on withdrawing from the alliance.
NYT.
