Middle East conflict: Trump considers pulling US out of NATO, calls the alliance ‘paper tiger’

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said he is strongly considering withdrawing Washington from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the Daily Telegraph reported.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said he is strongly considering withdrawing Washington from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the Daily Telegraph reported.

Labelling the alliance a ‘paper tiger’, the development came after it failed to join Trump in his war against Iran. He noted that removing the US from the defence treaty was now "beyond reconsideration."

Trump's remarks are a strong sign that the White House no longer considers Europe a reliable defence partner after the latter rejected Trump's appeal for allies to help him reopen the Strait of Hormuz by sending warships. 

The Strait was shut down by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) days after the US and Israel launched a war against Tehran, targeting the country's military and naval forces, and killing some of its most important leaders, including the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the strikes in late February.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway, yet one of the most crucial, since it transports roughly 20% of the world's oil supply. The decision to shut the Strait has rattled global energy markets, sending shockwaves through countries, with some declaring a national emergency due to the possible oil shortage.

 

When asked if he would reconsider the country's NATO membership, Trump said, "Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”

According to media reports, the alliance has been reluctant to help open the Strait. Commenting on this development, Trump noted that it was surprising that the allies were not present for the US, adding that it was hard to believe. He said, "And I didn’t do a big sale. I just said, ‘Hey, you know, I didn’t insist too much. I just think it should be automatic."

Referring to Russia's war in Ukraine, Trump added that Washington has always been present for its allies, including Ukraine. He said that the war in Kyiv wasn't our problem, adding that it was a test and Washington was there to help.