Trump again lashed out at NATO, said – not with America in the time of need, also expressed displeasure about Greenland
Washington. US President Donald Trump again criticized the military alliance after a closed-door meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, reiterating that NATO was not with America in its time of need. Before the meeting, Trump had indicated that the US might consider leaving NATO if it did not get cooperation during the Iran war. After the meeting he wrote in capital letters on social media, “NATO was not there when we needed it and will not be there when we need it.” The White House did not immediately provide any additional information on this.
Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said that Trump is discussing the issue of separation from NATO. This meeting between Trump and Rutte took place at a time when the US and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, paving the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Congress has passed a law in 2023, under which no President can withdraw from NATO without the approval of Congress. Trump has been criticizing NATO for a long time. He had also hinted in his first term that he might walk out of the alliance.
NATO was founded in 1949 for the security of Europe and is a collective defense agreement between its 32 member states. Trump also alleged during the Iran war that NATO countries did not support America in the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
He had said that the security of this important route is the responsibility of those countries which depend on oil through it. According to the report, some NATO member countries like Spain and France imposed limits on America’s use of their airspace or military bases during the Iran war, which is said to have angered Trump.
Trump also expressed displeasure over Greenland, which is an autonomous region of NATO member Denmark. He called for US control of Greenland earlier this year, but later backed down. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the Iran war, Russia-Ukraine conflict and enhancing NATO cooperation in a separate meeting with Rutte.
Senior Senate leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement in support of NATO, saying that NATO allies had fought alongside the US in Afghanistan and Iraq after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He appealed to Trump to adopt a clear and balanced approach in relations with allies. Experts believe that due to issues like Iran war, policy regarding Ukraine and Greenland dispute, the tension between Trump and NATO has increased further.
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