Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Western allies, saying he is “beyond reconsideration” on pulling the United States out of NATO, which he labeled a “paper tiger,” amid disputes over military action in Iran and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
In short:
(ABC-Australia) Donald Trump has scaled up threats to pull the United States out of NATO if European states do not help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with the UK’s The Daily Telegraph, Mr Trump called the defence alliance a “paper tiger” and said removing the US from the alliance was now “beyond reconsideration”.
What’s next?
Mr Trump is set to “to provide an important update on Iran” on Wednesday night, local time.
Donald Trump says he is strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO after allies failed to back US military action against Iran.
In an interview with Britain’s The Daily Telegraph, the US president labelled the defence alliance a “paper tiger” and said removing the United States from the organisation was now “beyond reconsideration”, the newspaper reported.
Mr Trump said he had long held doubts about NATO’s credibility.
“Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration,” Mr Trump said when asked about whether he would reconsider US membership of the alliance after the conflict.
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”
It is the clearest indication yet that the White House no longer views Europe as a dependable defence partner.
In the interview, Mr Trump also took aim at the UK’s Royal Navy and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
“You don’t even have a navy,” Mr Trump told the newspaper.
“You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work.
“All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”
In a press conference shortly after the Telegraph report, Sir Keir said it was “increasingly clear” the UK’s “long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union”.
He denied that meant the UK was choosing between allies.
“I think it’s in our interest to have a strong relationship with the US and with Europe,” he said.
“But I do think that when it comes to defence and security, energy emissions and the economy, we need a stronger relationship with Europe.”
Sir Keir vowed he would act in the British national interest, “whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise”.
Last week Mr Trump singled out Australia while accusing a string of allies of failing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
On Wednesday morning, local time, the US president posted on his Truth Social platform, saying Iran had requested a ceasefire.
“Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!” the post read.
Mr Trump said it would be considered “when Hormuz Strait is open, free and clear”.
“Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”
The United States had previously threatened to intensify operations if Tehran does not accept a 15-point US ceasefire framework demanding that Iran not pursue nuclear weapons or uranium enrichment and fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House said Mr Trump would address the nation “to provide an important update on Iran” at 9pm on Wednesday, local time.
Donald Trump says he is considering pulling US out of ‘paper tiger’ NATO alliance
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Overview:
Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Western allies, saying he is “beyond reconsideration” on pulling the United States out of NATO, which he labeled a “paper tiger,” amid disputes over military action in Iran and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
In short:
(ABC-Australia) Donald Trump has scaled up threats to pull the United States out of NATO if European states do not help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with the UK’s The Daily Telegraph, Mr Trump called the defence alliance a “paper tiger” and said removing the US from the alliance was now “beyond reconsideration”.
What’s next?
Mr Trump is set to “to provide an important update on Iran” on Wednesday night, local time.
Donald Trump says he is strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO after allies failed to back US military action against Iran.
In an interview with Britain’s The Daily Telegraph, the US president labelled the defence alliance a “paper tiger” and said removing the United States from the organisation was now “beyond reconsideration”, the newspaper reported.
Mr Trump said he had long held doubts about NATO’s credibility.
Iran war live updates: For the latest news on the Middle East conflict, read our blog.
“Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration,” Mr Trump said when asked about whether he would reconsider US membership of the alliance after the conflict.
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”
It is the clearest indication yet that the White House no longer views Europe as a dependable defence partner.
In the interview, Mr Trump also took aim at the UK’s Royal Navy and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
“You don’t even have a navy,” Mr Trump told the newspaper.
“You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work.
“All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”
In a press conference shortly after the Telegraph report, Sir Keir said it was “increasingly clear” the UK’s “long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union”.
He denied that meant the UK was choosing between allies.
“I think it’s in our interest to have a strong relationship with the US and with Europe,” he said.
“But I do think that when it comes to defence and security, energy emissions and the economy, we need a stronger relationship with Europe.”
Sir Keir vowed he would act in the British national interest, “whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise”.
Last week Mr Trump singled out Australia while accusing a string of allies of failing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
On Wednesday morning, local time, the US president posted on his Truth Social platform, saying Iran had requested a ceasefire.
“Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!” the post read.
Mr Trump said it would be considered “when Hormuz Strait is open, free and clear”.
“Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”
The United States had previously threatened to intensify operations if Tehran does not accept a 15-point US ceasefire framework demanding that Iran not pursue nuclear weapons or uranium enrichment and fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House said Mr Trump would address the nation “to provide an important update on Iran” at 9pm on Wednesday, local time.
Reuters/ABC
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