Trump cuts off NATO after Hormuz reopens: 'Stay away unless you want oil'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, April 17, launched a fresh attack on NATO after tensions around the Strait of Hormuz eased, claiming that the alliance offered assistance only after the crisis had passed.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he rejected NATO’s outreach and mocked the bloc as a “Paper Tiger,” yet again reviving his long-running criticism of allied burden-sharing and military effectiveness.
𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗝. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟬:𝟭𝟯 𝗔𝗠 𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝟬𝟰.𝟭𝟳.𝟮𝟲
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 17, 2026
Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS…
Trump asks NATO to 'stay away'
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open to commercial vessels during the current ceasefire, a development that helped lower oil prices and calm global markets.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help.”
He then claimed he gave the alliance a blunt response, writing, “I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL.”
Trump concluded the message with another swipe, calling NATO “useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!”
The statement immediately drew attention because the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically important maritime chokepoints in the world.
Any instability there can disrupt a major share of global crude shipments and trigger spikes in energy prices.
Markets had already reacted positively to Iran’s announcement that shipping lanes would remain open during the ceasefire period.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We spent trillions of dollars in NATO, but when I asked them to get involved in a smaller situation, they weren’t there for us. None of them. I don’t think NATO would be there for us in a larger skirmish, and therefore I think they’ve got themselves a problem. pic.twitter.com/aRKKS9Y3qB
— Department of State (@StateDept) April 16, 2026
US oil prices fell below $83 a barrel after having surged above $105 earlier in the week, while global stock indexes moved higher.
Trump's previous shots at NATO
Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, often accusing member states of relying too heavily on US military power while failing to contribute enough to collective defense.
His latest comments suggest he views the alliance’s reported offer of support as late and opportunistic, especially after the immediate threat to shipping lanes had eased.
The president has frequently tied NATO’s credibility to whether allies act alongside Washington during international crises.
Trump: "NATO is a paper tiger. Putin is not afraid of NATO. Putin's afraid of us. Very afraid of us. And he's explained it to me a lot of times." pic.twitter.com/rYfCG2l0V7
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 6, 2026
Trump had recently intensified criticism of NATO over its limited role in the Iran conflict.
In earlier remarks, he reportedly called the alliance “shameful” and questioned its value after several member states did not join US-led military actions linked to Iran.
He argued that many countries agreed that Tehran should not obtain nuclear weapons, but were unwilling to share the burden of enforcement.
Trump has also repeatedly called NATO "a paper tiger" and even hinted at a possible exit from the alliance in the past.
