Donald Trump has launched his most pointed public attack yet on Britain and NATO allies, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of offering aircraft carriers “when the war is over” and declaring the entire alliance a “paper tiger” that has consistently failed to support the United States when it matters.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Washington, Trump said he was “very disappointed” in NATO, claiming the alliance had “done absolutely nothing” throughout the conflict with Iran. He said he had warned as far back as 25 years ago that NATO would never come to America’s rescue despite the US repeatedly defending its members. “We will come to their rescue. But they will never come to our rescue,” he said, adding that allies had only offered help once Iran had been “annihilated.”
The President was particularly pointed about Britain’s contribution, mocking the UK’s offer of aircraft carriers as arriving three weeks into the conflict and dismissing the vessels outright. “They’re toys compared to what we have,” he said. “We’ll send our aircraft carrier when the war is over. I said, ‘Oh, that’s wonderful, thank you very much, don’t bother.'”
He also took aim at the UK’s general reluctance to be drawn into the conflict, saying Britain had been “very afraid” to allow the US use of its military bases. “But we don’t want to get dragged into their wars either,” Trump added.
On the question of Iran’s willingness to negotiate, Trump claimed Tehran was “begging to make a deal” despite publicly rejecting the US peace proposal. “They are begging to make a deal, not me,” he said. He described Iranians as “lousy fighters but great negotiators” and suggested that anyone watching events on the ground would understand why Iran was seeking an exit from the conflict.
Trump’s criticism of NATO extended to those allies who had signalled a willingness to contribute only once hostilities were winding down. “You’re supposed to get involved when the war’s beginning, or even before it begins,” he said.
The remarks represent the latest in a series of public rebukes directed at Starmer and European allies, with Trump having previously described Britain’s reluctance to engage as “terrible” and suggested the UK was no longer deserving of its reputation as America’s closest ally.
