Trump calls Nato allies ‘cowards’ for not helping in strait of Hormuz; US officials say more troops heading to Middle East

Trump NATO cowards: US president slams allies as thousands more troops head to Middle East

By Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

Former U.S. president Donald Trump called NATO allies “cowards” for refusing to provide warships for patrols in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said alliance members relied on American protection yet rejected Pentagon requests during recent Red Sea security talks.

The comments came as U.S. defense officials confirmed an additional 3,000 troops would deploy to Kuwait within 72 hours.

The Pentagon requested ships from Britain, France, Germany and Canada in November 2023 to protect commercial vessels near Iran, according to three defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

All four nations declined, citing domestic political constraints and legal restrictions on operating under U.S. command, the officials told reporters at the Pentagon.

Trump delivered the remarks at a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa, where he attacked European defense spending levels and threatened to “reconsider” U.S. NATO commitments.

“These cowards want our protection but they won’t lift a finger to help us,” Trump told the crowd of 4,500 supporters at the Iowa Events Center.

The former president’s statement represents his most direct criticism of NATO allies regarding Middle East operations since leaving office in 2021.

Current U.S. military officials distanced themselves from Trump’s comments while confirming the troop deployment.

“These are decisions for elected leaders,” Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said when asked about the remarks.

The new deployment includes 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 1,000 Army soldiers specializing in air defense systems, according to defense officials.

The troops will supplement 40,000 U.S. personnel already stationed across bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Officials said the deployment aimed to deter Iranian aggression following recent attacks on commercial shipping in the region.

Three cargo vessels sustained damage from suspected Iranian drones in December 2023, maritime security records show.

The Strait of Hormuz carries 20 percent of global oil supplies, making it a critical chokepoint for international trade.

European governments defended their positions on naval contributions through diplomatic channels.

British officials said Royal Navy assets remained focused on protecting ships in the Red Sea near Yemen, where Houthi rebels have launched multiple attacks.

Germany cited constitutional restrictions on deploying naval forces outside existing EU missions, according to a spokesperson for the defense ministry in Berlin.

French officials offered to provide intelligence support but declined to send warships, citing ongoing operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Canada’s defense department said it lacked available ships due to maintenance schedules, according to briefing documents provided to parliament.

NATO headquarters in Brussels declined to comment on Trump’s specific allegations.

Alliance spokesperson Oana Lungescu said NATO remained committed to maritime security but operated on consensus among 31 members.

“Decisions about specific deployments rest with individual nations,” Lungescu told reporters.

The controversy highlighted long-standing tensions over burden-sharing within the alliance, which Trump repeatedly criticized during his presidency.

Trump frequently accused European allies of failing to meet defense spending targets of 2 percent of GDP, a claim supported by NATO statistics.

Only 11 of 31 NATO members met the 2 percent threshold in 2023, according to alliance data released in February.

The new U.S. troop deployment represents the largest single addition to Middle East forces since the January 2020 killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

Defense officials said the Marines would provide rapid response capabilities while Army units brought additional Patriot missile batteries.

The buildup comes amid stalled negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from during his first term.

Iran has enriched uranium to 60 percent purity, approaching weapons-grade levels, according to International Atomic Energy Agency reports.

Background

The United States has provided security for commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf since the 1980s, when the so-called Tanker War during the Iran-Iraq conflict threatened oil supplies.

NATO allies have contributed naval forces to various Middle East missions, including anti-piracy operations off Somalia and the current mission in the Red Sea.

Trump’s approach to NATO marked a significant departure from previous U.S. presidents, who viewed the alliance as fundamental to transatlantic security.

During his 2016-2021 term, Trump threatened to withdraw from NATO multiple times and privately discussed reducing U.S. troop levels in Europe, according to former administration officials.

What’s Next

The 3,000 U.S. troops are expected to arrive at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait by January 30, where they will conduct training exercises with regional partners.

Pentagon officials said the deployment remained “temporary and defensive” but declined to specify potential withdrawal timelines.

Trump’s NATO criticism could influence alliance members’ calculations ahead of possible U.S. leadership changes following the November 2024 election.

European diplomats privately expressed concern about the durability of U.S. security commitments if Trump returns to office, according to officials familiar with discussions.