US president blames Greenland dispute for NATO rift, criticises allies

U.S. President Donald Trump on April 6 suggested that tensions between Washington and NATO began with his proposal to take over Greenland, as he sharply criticised several American allies for what he described as a lack of support in the war with Iran.

Speaking at a White House press conference ahead of a planned visit by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said disagreements over Greenland marked the start of a widening rift with the alliance, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

“It all began with, if you want to know the truth, Greenland,” Trump said. “We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, ‘bye, bye.’”

Trump has previously floated the idea of the United States taking control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member. His latest comments came as he accused several alliance members of refusing to assist Washington in its military campaign against Iran, including decisions by some countries to close their airspace or military bases to U.S. forces.

“NATO is a paper tiger,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about the United States relinquishing its role as the alliance’s de facto leader. “We didn’t need them, obviously, because they haven’t helped at all.”

The president also singled out key U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region, alleging they failed to support the U.S. during the conflict.

“Japan didn’t help us, Australia didn’t help us, South Korea didn’t help us, and then you get to NATO — NATO didn’t help us,” Trump said at the news conference.

Trump defended the longstanding American military presence in Asia, highlighting troop deployments in Japan and South Korea.

“We’ve got 50,000 soldiers in Japan to protect them from North Korea; we have 45,000 soldiers in South Korea to protect us from Kim Jong Un,” he said.

At the same time, Trump praised several Persian Gulf countries for their support, while acknowledging that geography played a role in their involvement.

“Saudi Arabia has been excellent, Qatar has been excellent, UAE has been excellent, Bahrain, Kuwait,” Trump said.

By Sabina Mammadli