Trump Calls NATO Cowards, Urges Deployment of Warships to Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing critique against the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). He has urged member states of the alliance to immediately dispatch naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz to confront Iran’s control over this critical shipping route.
“They need to be bold and send their ships there and enjoy it,” Trump stated in an interview with Politico daily on Thursday (2 April 2026).
This statement comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a distribution route for around 20 million barrels of oil daily, has reportedly been under Iran’s control since early March. Tehran’s move is a response to joint attacks launched by the US and Israel against Iranian territory.
In a dismissive tone, Trump emphasised his indifference to the military alliance’s support. When asked about his frustration with NATO’s passive stance, he replied curtly, “I don’t care. I don’t need them.”
Tensions between Trump and his European allies are intensifying. In a separate interview with the British daily The Telegraph, Trump even branded NATO members as cowards. He reiterated the possibility of the US withdrawing from the alliance, which has stood since the Cold War era.
Trump argued that countries reliant on oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz should bear greater responsibility for securing the route, rather than solely depending on US military might.
Despite the heated relations, diplomatic communication is still being pursued. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump is scheduled to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington next week. This meeting is expected to be contentious, given the strong criticisms from NATO member states towards Trump.
Several NATO allies have condemned Trump’s actions, viewing them as initiating military confrontation with Iran without prior consultation with other alliance members. This is seen as undermining the collective principles long upheld by NATO.
Although Trump has repeatedly threatened to leave NATO, such a step would not be easily taken unilaterally. Under legislation passed in 2023, the US President is prohibited from withdrawing from the NATO alliance without securing a two-thirds majority support from the US Senate.
Throughout its history, NATO has invoked Article 5 on collective defence only once, following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Now, under Trump’s leadership, the relevance and future of US involvement in the alliance are once again at a low point.
Trump added that his side has always regarded NATO as a “paper tiger”, an organisation that appears strong but is not.