Trump Blasts NATO After Allies Rebuff Call to Help Reopen Strait of Hormuz

President says U.S. doesn't need NATO's help, despite rising oil prices and global impact of Iran's blockade.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:30am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After NATO allies refused to assist the U.S. in securing the critical Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said the U.S. doesn't need their help. Trump criticized NATO, saying they made a "very foolish mistake" by not heeding his call to send warships to the strait, where roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply is caught in the crosshairs of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. The president said the U.S. has "great support" from Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, but did not provide specifics on what they would do. Trump also postponed a previously planned trip to China, saying he was "resetting the meeting" originally scheduled for early April.

Why it matters

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had a significant impact on global oil prices and supply, with the national average for a gallon of gas in the U.S. rising to $3.79. Trump's criticism of NATO highlights ongoing tensions within the alliance, as the U.S. seeks greater support from allies in addressing global security challenges.

The details

President Trump requested that U.S. partners in Europe and Asia send warships to help police the Strait of Hormuz, but no country has publicly announced plans to do so. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said "This is not our war; we did not start it," while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "We will not be drawn into the wider war." Despite Trump's claims of "great support" from Middle Eastern countries, he did not provide specifics on what they would contribute.

  • On March 15, 2026, President Trump returned to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland from West Palm Beach, Florida.
  • On March 18, 2026, President Trump spoke to members of the media onboard Air Force One.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States.

Micheál Martin

The Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland.

Boris Pistorius

The Defense Minister of Germany.

Keir Starmer

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Marco Rubio

The United States Secretary of State.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This was a great test because we don't need them, but they should have been there.”

— Donald Trump (mycentraloregon.com)

“This is not our war; we did not start it.”

— Boris Pistorius, German Defense Minister (mycentraloregon.com)

“We will not be drawn into the wider war.”

— Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister (mycentraloregon.com)

What’s next

President Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would soon provide a list of countries that have told him they are "on the way" to assist in the Strait of Hormuz, but as of Tuesday afternoon, no such list had been released.

The takeaway

Trump's criticism of NATO's refusal to assist in the Strait of Hormuz highlights the ongoing tensions within the alliance, as the U.S. seeks greater support from allies in addressing global security challenges. The closure of the strait has had a significant impact on global oil prices and supply, underscoring the high stakes involved in this geopolitical conflict.