President Donald Trump on Tuesday sharply criticized NATO allies after several European countries declined his request to assist in maintaining open shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy transport.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump raised the possibility of taking further action against the alliance when asked whether he would consider withdrawing the United States from NATO.
“It’s certainly something that we should think about,” he said.
“I don’t need Congress for that decision, as you probably know, I can make that decision myself.”
The comments followed reports that key European allies, including France and the United Kingdom, declined to provide military support for operations aimed at securing the strait.
The administration has been seeking additional naval assets, including minesweepers to detect explosive devices and destroyers to protect commercial vessels moving through the narrow passage.
Trump has long expressed concerns about NATO’s structure and financial commitments, arguing that member nations rely too heavily on the United States.
Hellbound and Down 