"They weren't there. We spend hundreds of billions of USD each year on NATO, hundreds of billions to protect them, always ready to help. But based on their actions, I guess we don't need to do that anymore, do we?", US President Donald Trump stated at an investment forum in Florida on 27/3.

"Why should we help them, when they weren't there for us?", he added.

President Donald Trump at an event in Miami, Florida on 27/3. Photo: AP

Since the Middle East conflict erupted on 28/2, Trump has repeatedly expressed disappointment over NATO allies' lack of support for the US and their refusal to deploy forces to help clear the Iranian-blockaded Hormuz Strait.

Japan and five NATO members—the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands—have indicated a willingness to "contribute to appropriate efforts" but have not made any firm commitments. The ongoing stalemate in the Hormuz Strait has caused global energy prices to surge.

President Trump has long been skeptical of the Western military alliance's role and has criticized NATO repeatedly in recent days. He even suggested the US should reconsider its membership in the bloc.

On 26/3, the US leader wrote on social media that Washington "does not need anything" from NATO. He stressed that "NATO nations are doing absolutely nothing to help deal with the militarily devastated country that is Iran".

Last week, he even criticized NATO members as "cowards", declaring the military alliance a "paper tiger" without the US.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)