WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump is seriously weighing a U.S. withdrawal from NATO after European allies rejected his request to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. If that happens, it could end America’s 75-year role in the world’s strongest military alliance.
For months, Trump has pushed NATO members to carry more of the defense load. Now, their refusal during a major crisis appears to have pushed him to the edge. “This was a great test,” he said, arguing that America’s allies failed it.
The dispute comes as the United States and Israel remain at war with Iran, a conflict that began in late February 2026. In response, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. That narrow passage handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil. Its shutdown has driven up global energy prices and raised fresh fears about supply chains.
Trump’s Long Campaign to Pressure NATO
Trump’s anger with NATO didn’t start with this crisis. Since returning to the office in January 2025, he has repeatedly challenged the alliance’s value. He has also demanded that member states spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense, a mark many still have not reached.
In recent months, he stepped up those loyalty tests. He attacked allied support levels in Afghanistan and Ukraine. “We’ve been very sweet,” Trump told the Financial Times. “We didn’t have to help them with Ukraine… Now we’ll see if they help us.”
Then came the Hormuz standoff, which appears to have become the tipping point. Trump asked NATO countries to send warships, minesweepers, and naval escorts. He presented the request as a modest return for decades of U.S. protection.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman. Oil tankers cross it every day, carrying crude from the Persian Gulf to world markets. After U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran used mines, drones, and speedboats to block the route.
As a result, oil prices climbed fast. Europe and Asia felt the shock first. Trump called on “countries that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait” to join the effort to reopen it. He also reached out to China and other nations outside the alliance.
“We have had such Military Success,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!”
Still, he made clear that the refusal could damage NATO itself. “If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.”
European Allies Say No
European governments pushed back hard. Many described the fighting as “Trump’s war,” not a NATO mission. Here’s how key allies responded:
- Germany: A spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, “This war has nothing to do with NATO. It is not NATO’s war.” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius added, “What does Trump expect a handful of European frigates to do… This is not our war; we have not started it.”
- France: French officials showed no sign they would send ships. Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron had called the Iran strikes “illegal.”
- United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would not be “drawn into a wider war.” Trump had already brushed off any British carrier support.
- Other NATO members: Italy, Luxembourg, and several others took the same line. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the strait falls “out of NATO’s area of action” and added that there was “no appetite” for involvement.
Luxembourg’s Xavier Bettel called Trump’s demand “blackmail.” Retired British Gen. Nick Carter said the request was ironic because NATO is a defensive alliance, not a tool for “wars of choice.”
Only a few smaller member states showed limited openness. Most did not budge.
Trump Hits Back, Calls NATO a “One-Way Street”
Trump responded angrily from the Oval Office. “All of the NATO allies agreed with us, but they don’t want to help us, which is amazing.” He described NATO as a “one-way street,” saying the United States spends hundreds of billions defending others and gets little back.
When reporters asked whether he might reconsider U.S. membership, Trump said, “It’s certainly something that we should think about. I don’t need Congress for that decision.” He added that he had “nothing currently in mind” but was “not exactly thrilled.”
Legal experts point to a 2023 law that requires Senate approval for a NATO withdrawal. Trump says he could get around that through a legal loophole.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies, echoed the mood. After speaking with the president, he wrote, “Never heard him so angry in my life.”
Why This Could Matter Worldwide
A U.S. exit from NATO would shake global security. The alliance was created after World War II to counter Soviet power. Today, it includes 32 members. Without the United States, Europe’s defense posture against Russia could weaken sharply.
Meanwhile, energy markets are already under strain. Oil prices rose after the blockade, and those higher costs are spreading to consumers. Europe now faces the risk of tighter energy supplies and more inflation.
The crisis also puts pressure on support for Ukraine. Europe has relied heavily on U.S. backing there. At the same time, Trump’s focus on Iran, along with sanctions waivers for Russian oil, has made the picture even more complicated.
Military Risks and Political Fallout
Retired military leaders warn that escorting tankers through the strait would be dangerous. Mines and Iranian attacks make the route risky, even for the U.S. Navy.
Analysts say the dispute cuts to the heart of NATO’s purpose. As Gen. Carter put it, “NATO was created as a defensive alliance.” It was never meant to let one member launch a conflict and then expect everyone else to join in.
Some European officials are worried in private. They fear losing U.S. protection while Russia watches closely. Others say the moment confirms that Trump puts “America First” above long-term alliances.
Trump insists the United States can reopen the Strait on its own. “We do not need the help of anyone,” he said. Even so, his repeated requests for support show how much pressure the situation has created.
What Comes Next
The White House has said little about its next move. Trump could answer allied resistance with tariffs or cuts in aid. Congress, however, may challenge any serious attempt to pull the U.S. out of NATO.
For now, the Hormuz blockade remains in place. American forces are operating without allied backing, and oil tankers are still steering clear.
This crisis may mark a major turning point. Trump’s long effort to test NATO loyalty has reached its peak, and Europe’s refusal could drive the biggest shift in transatlantic ties since 1949.
The alliance that helped win the Cold War is now facing one of its hardest tests, and this time, the threat is coming from inside.
