Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized NATO allies in the wake of the Strait of Hormuz reopening to commercial traffic. In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, on April 17, 2026, Trump suggested that NATO countries should "stay away" from the Middle East "unless they just want to load up their ships with oil."
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint, had been temporarily closed due to heightened regional tensions. Its reopening followed a diplomatic agreement facilitated by several Gulf states, which was confirmed by international maritime authorities earlier this week.
Trump's comments reflect his long-standing skepticism of NATO and its role, a theme from his 2017-2021 presidency. He has repeatedly urged member nations to increase their defense spending and questioned the alliance's value. Analysts note that his latest remarks come as he is the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2026 presidential election.
NATO has not issued an official response to Trump's latest statement. The alliance's current strategic focus in the Middle East remains on training missions and partnerships, not direct military intervention. The White House, under the current administration, reaffirmed the U.S.'s "ironclad" commitment to NATO in a separate briefing.
