NATO faces ‘very bad’ future without support to reopen Hormuz Strait – Trump

Donald Trump has warned that the future of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, could be at risk if member states fail to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Speaking in an interview with Financial Times on Sunday, Trump said the alliance could face serious consequences if US allies do not assist in securing the vital waterway, a major global oil transit route that has effectively been shut down by Iran during the escalating hostilities in the region.

“If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” Trump said.

The closure of the strategic shipping corridor has disrupted global energy supplies and triggered a sharp rise in oil prices worldwide.

Trump noted that just as the United States has provided assistance to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, European allies should also play a role in helping secure the strait and restore normal maritime traffic.

The US president, who has previously criticised NATO members for relying heavily on American support, said countries that benefit most from oil shipments through the Gulf should take greater responsibility for protecting the route.

“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” he said.

Trump also indicated that a planned summit in Beijing with Xi Jinping could be postponed as Washington seeks Beijing’s cooperation in addressing the crisis and reopening the strait.

“We’d like to know before,” he said, noting that China and several European nations rely more heavily than the United States on oil shipments passing through the Gulf.

In a separate comment to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump disclosed that the United States was already holding discussions with about seven countries to help ensure the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.