Useless European ‘allies’: Letters to the Editor — March 20, 2026

The Issue: NATO countries refusing to aid the Untied States in opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Martin Gurri nails it in his column lambasting feckless European elites (“Trump upends world of impotent elites,” March 18).

While previous presidents have kicked the can down the road, President Trump declares, “The can stops here.”

Under his leadership, the United States and Israel have combined to put a stop to the evil Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions.

This is a service to the entire civilized world.

So shame on the European “elites” who will come to regret their decision to not support the president.

Scott Ventrella

Ridgefield, Conn.

Gee, after a full year of being insulted, tariffed, threatened and bullied by the president, our NATO allies won’t rush into a war he didn’t even give them a heads-up about.

They have a point after Trump acknowledged he was “shocked” that the Iranians were hitting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Or take Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth berating reporters for suggesting we weren’t prepared to handle blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.

Looks like we weren’t, if we didn’t even line up support for that effort beforehand.

War is no time for amateur hour, but that’s what we have from Trump & Co.

Ray Meier

Rome

Our so-called NATO allies so far have refused to assist Trump in safeguarding and opening up the Strait of Hormuz.

They claim it’s not their war.

They’ve relied on America for decades as a bulwark of defense and now show their ungratefulness when America calls on them.

NATO countries need the oil more than energy-efficient America.

They should shoulder the burden and help open the strait.

Joseph Valente

Staten Island

Unfortunately, the president doesn’t understand much, including the NATO Charter. Article 5 has been invoked only once, and it was our NATO allies who came to our defense.

Trump has been insulting, bullying and levying illegal tariffs on our European allies for the past 15 months — but now wants their assistance. Yet he contends that he does not need their help to wade in — though he and his administration negligently failed to consider the carryover of the war into the Strait of Hormuz.

This was Trump’s war of choice, but he now fails to understand why others will not assist.

Lou Maione

Manhattan

If I were Trump, I would pull the United States out of NATO and let Germany, Great Britain, France and the rest of NATO deal with Russia, China, North Korea and Iran on their own.

He asked for their help dealing with the Strait of Hormuz and they turned him down and claimed it’s not their war.

When they are on their own and eventually have to deal with the Axis of Evil, he should also claim, “Sorry but it’s not our war.”

Stephen Colasacco

The Bronx

Europe and NATO aren’t our allies; they’re dependents that have been collectively suckling at the teat of US protection for over 80 years.

It is far past time to cut them loose.

Joe Mulvanerton

Old Bridge, NJ

President Trump has done so much around the world in a few short months.

Now he asks for assistance from other countries to help tankers cross the strait, but no other countries are jumping in to help.

So how about bringing our soldiers home, and letting the other countries fend for themselves?

America has always helped others around the world. Now let’s take care of our own people.

Mo Colarusso

Manhattan

How astonishing to see NATO countries, as well as other countries that we support in so many ways, decide to reject our president’s request for assistance in the Strait of Hormuz.

They defer their own responsibility to us when in reality, they have the most to gain with freedom of entry through the Strait.

Just like the unfair tariffs these countries exacted on the United States, they are showing what suckers we are when they reject our call for support.

Colette Curry

Staten Island

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