Transatlantic allies’ refusal to back the Iran war fuels latest Trump outburst after meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenOrange WangandYuanyue Dangin BeijingPublished: 6:00am, 10 Apr 2026The US-Israel war on Iran could push Nato closer to becoming a “nominal” alliance, although it was unlikely to disband any time soon, a Chinese observer said.US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the transatlantic defence alliance since returning to the White House last year, accusing allies of “free‑riding” on US security and demanding greater military and financial contributions.
That rhetoric has only intensified in recent weeks, with accusations that Nato was failing to support the US military campaign against Iran.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
Hours earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a message from the president. Nato “were tested and they failed” in the Iran war, she quoted Trump as saying.
