United States President Donald Trump has criticized other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) nations as a “one-way street,” saying the bloc won’t do anything for the U.S. NATO has so far been unwilling to join the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, prompting Trump to declare that America has never really needed its help anyway.
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The president added that 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.
The remarks came a day after U.S. 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, according to a report by RT.
Trump claims that the U.S. and Israel have been successful in their war against Iran without the help of NATO and that 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.
In a time of need? But didn’t he say he didn’t need them because he’s been successful without them?
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Trump threatened some NATO nations with tariffs earlier this year as a punishment for those who opposed his acquisition of Greenland. Trump also reportedly even considered sending troops to the island before abandoning the idea later.
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Trump has been particularly angry with Spain for its refusal to spend 5% of its GDP (gross domestic product) on NATO’s defense spending budget. He threatened a trade embargo for its unwillingness and as punishment for the country’s refusal to allow U.S. forces to use joint military bases for strikes on Iran.