US President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO allies after they reportedly refused to provide logistical support for US Air Force operations under EUCOM during tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking about the alliance’s response, Trump said NATO countries declined immediate assistance, telling him they would only act “as soon as it’s over.” He dismissed their stance as ineffective and unreliable in times of crisis.
Trump went further, declaring that the United States does not depend on NATO militarily, stating: “We don’t need them. We’ll never need them, actually — they’ll need us.” He emphasized that many alliance members rely heavily on US defense capabilities, calling them a “paper tiger.”
The remarks highlight growing friction between Washington and European allies amid escalating global tensions, particularly involving Iran and maritime security in the Gulf region. Trump’s comments are likely to intensify debate over NATO burden-sharing and the alliance’s readiness to respond to real-time military crises.