President Donald Trump said most European allies ‘weren’t there for us’ during the conflict with Iran.
President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States likely doesn’t have to be there for NATO, noting that the alliance has provided little to no material support to U.S. military efforts against the Iranian regime.
Trump made the comments while addressing questions at the Future Investment Initiative Institute summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida.
“I think a tremendous mistake was when NATO just wasn’t there. They just weren’t there. It’s going to make a lot of money for the United States because we spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO—protecting them,” Trump said. “We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be, do we?”
He paused, then added: “That sounds like a breaking story? Yes, sir. Is that breaking news? I think we just have breaking news, but that’s the fact. I’ve been saying that. Why would we be there for them if they’re not there for us? They weren’t there for us.”
The comments stem directly from the ongoing U.S. military operation against Iran.
U.S. forces and the Israeli military launched military operations against the Iranian regime on Feb. 28. Many alliance leaders publicly opposed the U.S.-Israel effort against Iran and offered no troops, aircraft, or logistical aid. Later, Washington sought help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and eventually, at least 22 countries, mainly NATO members, pledged support for safe passage of the critical waterway.
Trump has repeatedly voiced disappointment with the transatlantic alliance.
In a March 26 cabinet meeting in Washington, the president also expressed surprise at the stance of several traditional partners. He said he received more support from Middle Eastern nations than from long-time NATO allies, such as the United Kingdom.
“[UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer] didn’t want to help us. Australia too was not great, I was a little surprised by Australia,” Trump told reporters.
European capitals cited the absence of consultation and disagreement with the operation’s scope as reasons for staying on the sidelines.
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