Trump Claims US Does Not Need NATO and Japan to Secure Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has issued a controversial statement asserting that the US military no longer requires assistance from Japan, NATO, or other allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz. This claim marks a new chapter in US isolationism amid the 2026 global energy crisis.
Trump made this claim on Tuesday (17/3/2026), just a few days after he publicly requested international assistance to maintain the shipping lane that carries 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply.
Through his personal social media platform, Trump expressed his frustration with the US’s traditional allies, which he views as slow in responding to requests to deploy battle fleets to the Gulf region.
“Because we have achieved such great military success, we no longer ‘need’ or want assistance from NATO countries – WE NEVER NEEDED IT! The same goes for Japan, Australia, or South Korea,” Trump wrote in a post that immediately sparked a global diplomatic reaction.
In the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his disappointment with NATO. He described the defence organisation as a financial burden on the US, costing hundreds of billions of dollars each year without adequate reciprocation.
Trump also compared the situation in the Middle East to US military aid to Ukraine. He complained that the US provides large quantities of military equipment to Ukraine for free at the request of European allies to counter Russia, but those same allies are reluctant to help the US in the Strait of Hormuz.
In contrast to his stance on NATO, Trump expressed high appreciation for the Gulf states. He called Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates “great countries” that provide strong support for the US strategy in the region.
Although Trump claims military success, the facts on the ground show that the Strait of Hormuz remains paralysed due to Iran’s blockade since the attack on 28 February. This has kept global oil prices at record highs, threatening the economic stability of major importing countries in Asia and Europe.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About one-fifth of the world’s total oil consumption passes through this strait every day, making it the most critical chokepoint in the global energy infrastructure.