President Donald Trump drew criticism Sunday for questioning the necessity of U.S. efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting the United States “maybe shouldn’t even be there at all” given its own oil production. The comments came after Trump urged European and NATO allies to assist in securing the strait amid a major disruption to global oil supplies.
Trump Calls for Allied Support, Questions U.S. Role
Trump stated that other countries should help protect the strait, asserting, “They should come and they should help us protect it.” He further suggested the U.S. may not need to be involved, stating, “You could make the case that maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all, because we don’t need it. We have a lot of oil. We’re the number one producer anywhere in the world times two.”
Trump has faced criticism for his handling of the conflict with Iran, including for initially failing to clearly articulate the reasons for launching military strikes. He has since made several contradictory statements, including telling the UK that its assistance was not needed in Operation Epic Fury.
The president’s comments on Sunday drew an immediate backlash on social media, with critics accusing him of initiating an unnecessary war and then demanding others help end it. One post referenced the 13 U.S. service members killed in the conflict as of Sunday, questioning the president’s suggestion that the U.S. “shouldn’t even be there.”
The cousin of Tech Sgt Tyler Simmons, one of six airmen killed in a refueling tanker crash last week, told WCMH that his family was experiencing “the worst nightmare we could ever imagine,” adding, “This could have been prevented. We didn’t need to be in this war. This is uncalled for, and this is what we get.”
Trump reversed his earlier position on outside assistance Sunday, stepping up pressure on other countries to become involved in defending the strait. Australia, France, and Japan have stated they have no plans to send warships. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he was working with European allies on a plan to reopen the strait, but insisted the UK “will not be drawn into the wider war.”
Luxembourg’s deputy prime minister, Xavier Bettel, said his country would not give in to “blackmail” from the U.S.
During a gaggle with reporters Sunday, Trump suggested the U.S. effort to secure the strait was for the benefit of other countries, stating, “It’s almost like we do it for habit, but we also do it for some very good allies that we have in the Middle East.” He said he was in talks with several countries he believed would help, but did not identify them. He previously stated he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others would participate.
In an interview with the Financial Times Sunday, Trump warned that NATO faces a “very bad” future if it does not assist the U.S. in protecting the strait from Iranian attacks. He also said he “may delay” a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping until he knows if China will offer assistance.
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