Trump issues ultimatum to NATO as bloc chief visits ‘Daddy’
The US president has demanded that members must make commitments to help address the loss of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz ‘within days’ according to Bloomberg
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO over the inaction of European allies during the war with Iran.
Trump, according to sources close to bloc chief Mark Rutte who spoke to Bloomberg, has issued an ultimatum to its members demanding a commitment to help secure the Strait of Hormuz “within days. ”
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” Trump posted on Thursday on his social media platform Truth Social.
Trump’s anger follows weeks of criticism of European NATO members for what he sees as their refusal to support the US-Israeli war on Iran. Spain has refused outright to allow US planes use its bases, while Germany and the UK have refused to condemn Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming only “this is not our war.”
Rutte described the exchange as a “very frank, very open” discussion between “two good friends.” He said in a Thursday interview with CNN, however, that Trump was “clearly disappointed” that US allies had refused to take part in the Iran war. Asked multiple times if Trump had said if he would leave the alliance, Rutte did not answer directly.
"Is the world safer today than it was before the war was started?"
— Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) April 9, 2026
Secretary-General of NATO, Mark Rutte: "Absolutely, and this is thanks to President Trump's leadership" pic.twitter.com/jjOWexNsOg
Rutte has faced a barrage of criticism in Europe for his perceived deference toward Trump. During a joint press appearance last year, he jokingly called the US president “Daddy,” drawing media attention and ridicule.
Ahead of the latest meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists that a possible US withdrawal from the bloc is “something the president has discussed.” She also said that Trump could raise the issue with Rutte.
READ MORE: NATO without America? A slow shift is already underway
Last week, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the future of NATO was uncertain, and that Washington is currently unable to reaffirm its commitment to collective defense. He cited Trump as saying that “you don’t have much of an alliance if you have countries that are not willing to stand with you when you need them.”