Trump Lashes Out at NATO in Anger, Threatens New 'War' on European Soil
US President Donald Trump has vented his fury at NATO allies who did not support Uncle Sam’s nation in the war in Iran. In addition to condemning the defence alliance, Trump has again affirmed his ambition to annex Greenland, which is controlled by Denmark.
Citing an AFP report, Trump’s harsh statements emerged ahead of NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s planned visit to Washington scheduled for this weekend. This tension marks the latest dispute between the president and the transatlantic military alliance.
“Listen, we go to NATO. I didn’t ask very strongly, I just said, ‘Hey, if you want to help, great’,” Trump said, recalling his request to the allies, as reported on Tuesday (7/4/2026).
However, Trump claimed that the response he received was outright rejection. Although he did not specify which country leaders he spoke to, he felt that alliance members deliberately withdrew from the conflict.
“‘No, no, no, we won’t help,’ that’s what they said to me,” Trump said, mimicking the allies’ rejection.
Trump went further by accusing NATO member states of actually trying hard not to provide any assistance at all in the military operation in Iran. He assessed that this attitude shows the weakness of the organisation that should serve as the bulwark of Western defence.
“This alliance is a paper tiger that is not feared by Russian President Vladimir Putin,” Trump stated dismissively.
Despite launching sharp criticism at the organisation, Trump personally described NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte as an extraordinary figure. Rutte himself is scheduled to arrive in Washington to defuse the increasingly heated diplomatic tensions.
On Wednesday, Rutte will hold high-level talks with Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. This meeting was confirmed by the Alliance as an effort for strategic coordination amid the White House’s dissatisfaction.
Trump’s displeasure with NATO apparently stems from a long-standing dispute over Greenland territory controlled by Denmark, one of the alliance’s members. Trump has not hidden his desire to seize this strategic territory, despite fierce opposition from other NATO members.
“It all started from—if you want to know the truth—Greenland,” Trump revealed when discussing the origins of his disappointment with the alliance.
Trump emphasised that NATO’s refusal to facilitate the acquisition of the territory became a turning point in their relationship. He signalled that the US would not hesitate to leave the cooperation if its interests are not accommodated.
“We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, ‘see you later’,” Trump stated.
In addition to attacking NATO, Trump also criticised other traditional non-NATO allies such as South Korea, Australia, and Japan for being considered unhelpful in the Iran war. Conversely, he praised Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their full support during the conflict.