Trump Criticizes Japan and South Korea Over Defense Spending

President calls on allies to take more active role in securing Strait of Hormuz

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:03am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting a warship sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color conveying a sense of motion and geopolitical tension.As the U.S. pressures allies to take on more defense responsibilities, a fractured, abstract painting captures the geopolitical tensions in a strategic global waterway.Washington Today

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Japan and South Korea for not providing enough assistance to U.S. forces in the conflict with Iran, arguing that these allies should take a more active role in securing the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The administration's pressure focuses on the energy security implications for East Asian nations that rely on the waterway for oil and gas supplies.

Why it matters

Trump's criticism of Japan and South Korea's defense spending reflects a broader U.S. strategy to shift more of the financial and operational burden of regional security to allies who benefit from American military presence and the protection of global trade routes. This pressure comes as NATO members are being urged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

The details

During a news conference, Trump castigated Tokyo and Seoul, noting that both nations host approximately 75,000 U.S. troops. He stated that countries like South Korea and Japan, which rely on the Strait of Hormuz for their energy supplies, should play a greater role in reopening the strategic waterway. As of 2025, Japan's defense spending was 1.8% of GDP, while South Korea's was 2.3% (approximately $45.1 billion). In contrast, the U.S. reported a ratio of 3.38% of GDP, despite a defense budget of $997 billion in 2024.

  • On April 6, 2026, Trump criticized Japan and South Korea during a news conference in Washington.
  • As of 2025, Japan's defense spending was 1.8% of GDP, while South Korea's was 2.3%.

The players

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who criticized Japan and South Korea for their lack of assistance to U.S. forces in the conflict with Iran.

Japan

A U.S. ally that hosts approximately 75,000 U.S. troops and whose defense spending was 1.8% of GDP as of 2025.

South Korea

A U.S. ally that hosts approximately 75,000 U.S. troops and whose defense spending was 2.3% of GDP (approximately $45.1 billion) as of 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Countries like South Korea and Japan, which rely on the waterway for their oil and gas supplies, should play a greater role in reopening the strategic waterway.”

— Donald Trump, U.S. President

What’s next

The administration's demands for increased contributions from Japan and South Korea are expected to continue, as the U.S. seeks to shift more of the financial and operational burden of regional security to its allies.

The takeaway

Trump's criticism of Japan and South Korea's defense spending reflects a broader U.S. strategy to pressure allies to take on a greater share of the costs and responsibilities for regional security, particularly in strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz that are critical to their energy supplies.