Donald Trump during an emotional meeting with the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte accused Europe of insufficient US support for the Strait of Hormuz. He threatened to «do anything» and hinted at possible reprisals against the alliance. NATO officials are trying to calm the situation, calling the talks constructive.
Trump accuses Europe of benefiting from the Strait of Hormuz
During the closed-door meeting, Donald Trump harshly criticised his European partners, in particular Mark Rutte. According to Trump, it is Europe that benefits most from shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but refuses to take part in military action to defend it. This was the main claim of the former US president to NATO.
Threats and hints of reprisals
Politico reported that Trump threatened to «do anything» if NATO did not change its position on the conflict with Iran. He also hinted at possible reprisals, although the White House denied this. Trump said he no longer expects anything from alliance, referring to the refusal of France and Spain to support the United States and Israel in their confrontation with Tehran.
An attempt to save the alliance and the reaction of the participants
The meeting between Trump and Rutte was an attempt to preserve NATO's unity, as Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the United States from the alliance. Witnesses described the talks as tense and even «awful,» but a NATO spokeswoman called them constructive, and Rutte himself said the visit was useful because it allowed Trump to «blow off steam.».
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