Trump called NATO a paper tiger and said Putin already knew it, but what he said next about the UK’s warships hit differently

President Trump is reportedly considering pulling the United States out of NATO, an alliance he is now openly labeling a “paper tiger.” As detailed by The Telegraph, he told the outlet that removing America from the defensive treaty is “beyond reconsideration.” His comments didn’t stop there, as he also mocked the UK’s military capabilities, adding further tension to an already strained relationship with European allies.

Trump was direct when asked about US membership in NATO, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict. “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,” he said. The remarks reflect a long-held skepticism about the alliance’s effectiveness that puts him at odds with its traditional supporters, who view it as a cornerstone of global security.

A core source of Trump’s frustration is what he sees as insufficient support from European allies during the US-Israeli war against Iran. He is particularly irked by their reluctance to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas maritime passage that Iran has effectively blocked, and by allies refusing to allow the US to use their military bases for strikes against Iran. Trump has framed this as a betrayal, especially given the US’s substantial involvement in supporting Ukraine over four years of conflict with Russia.

He clearly doesn’t think much of the Royal Navy

The UK found itself in Trump’s crosshairs over Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s refusal to get involved in the war. Trump’s assessment of the Royal Navy was particularly blunt. “You don’t even have a navy,” he declared, adding, “You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work.” When asked whether Starmer should spend more on defense, Trump dismissed the idea entirely: “I’m not going to tell him what to do. He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter. All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”

This is not the first time Trump has directed pointed criticism at NATO or the UK. Just last month, he posted on X reiterating his belief that “Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” He specifically called out allies for not joining the fight to stop what he described as a “Nuclear Powered Iran” and for not helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling them “COWARDS” and warning, “we will REMEMBER!” He also previously expressed disappointment over Starmer’s initial refusal to send aircraft carriers to the Middle East, saying, “Unfortunately Keir is no Winston Churchill,” and later claiming Starmer only agreed to send them “after we essentially won.”

Starmer has not backed down. Responding to Trump’s comments, he firmly defended the alliance, stating that NATO is “the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen” and that it “has kept us safe for many decades.” He added that he would always act in the “British national interest” regardless of external pressure, and was clear that the UK would not be drawn into the Middle East conflict. “Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions that I make,” he said.

Many European allies view the US-Israel war against Iran, which began in late February, as a “war of choice” they were not consulted on before it started. There is significant reluctance to get involved in what some fear could become another prolonged Middle East engagement, reminiscent of Iraq or Afghanistan. This clashes directly with Trump’s expectation that NATO allies should automatically support the US in such conflicts. Historically, NATO is built on collective defense, meaning an attack on one member is an attack on all, rather than an obligation to support offensive operations launched by a single member, and that distinction is at the heart of the current friction. Amid this backdrop, UAE stock markets have shed $120 billion since the war began, reflecting the broader economic toll of the conflict on the region.

In response to the Iran oil crisis, Starmer also announced that Britain would pursue a closer security and economic partnership with the European Union. “It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union,” he said. Trump, for his part, urged countries like the UK to “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” underscoring how far apart the two sides are on how to approach international security.

The skepticism toward NATO is not limited to Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also hinted that Washington would have to “re-examine” its relationship with the alliance once the war in Iran ended. Rubio stated that if NATO is simply about the US defending Europe when attacked, but Europe then denies the US basing rights when needed, “that’s not a very good arrangement.” Amid broader scrutiny of the war’s conduct, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on April 29, his first public appearance before lawmakers since the conflict began.