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 1:30am

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U.S. President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies for not heeding his call to send warships to help secure the critical Strait of Hormuz, where roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply is caught in the crosshairs of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. Trump said the U.S. doesn't need NATO's assistance, despite the global impact of Iran's stranglehold on the strait, which has led to rising oil prices and a spike in gas prices in the U.S.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global chokepoint for oil shipments, and its closure by Iran has far-reaching economic and geopolitical consequences. Trump's public rebuke of NATO highlights ongoing tensions within the alliance and raises questions about the U.S. commitment to multilateral cooperation, even in the face of shared security challenges.

The details

Trump had 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. Germany, the UK, and other NATO members have declined to get involved, with the German defense minister saying "This is not our war; we did not start it." Trump said the U.S. has received support from Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, but did not provide specifics on their planned involvement.

  • On March 15, 2026, President Trump returned to Washington D.C. from a weekend trip to Florida.
  • On March 18, 2026, Trump criticized NATO allies during an Oval Office meeting with Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

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 U.S. Secretary of State.

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What they’re saying

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

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (wbal.com)

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

— Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (wbal.com)

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

— Boris Pistorius, Defense Minister of Germany (wbal.com)

What’s next

President Trump announced that his previously planned trip to China is now postponed for five to six weeks, though he did not provide details on the reason for the delay.

The takeaway

Trump's public criticism of NATO's refusal to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz highlights the ongoing tensions within the alliance and the challenges the U.S. faces in maintaining multilateral cooperation, even on issues with global economic and security implications.