TLDR
- Trump called NATO allies “cowards” for not helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz
- The U.S.-Israel war against Iran began February 28 and is now in its third week
- The S&P 500 is down nearly 5% since the conflict started
- Gas prices have risen 31% to $3.91 per gallon due to supply disruptions
- Several NATO allies pledged to help ensure safe passage through the Strait, but only after combat ends
Trump publicly attacked NATO allies on Friday, calling them “cowards” for refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
Good morning – President Trump is up and blasting NATO as ‘COWARDS’ and a ‘PAPER TIGER’ pic.twitter.com/fZpgxlechw
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) March 20, 2026
“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The conflict started on February 28, when U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran began. Since then, thousands have been killed and millions displaced.
Trump has repeatedly called on major allies to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway controlled by Iran. Traffic through the strait is at a near standstill.
None of the allies were consulted or advised before the war started.
Trump argued that reopening the Strait would be simple and low-risk for NATO countries.
“Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote.
He ended his post with a direct warning: “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
How the War Is Hitting Markets
The S&P 500 is down nearly 5% since the conflict began on February 28. Gas prices have jumped 31% to $3.91 per gallon due to supply disruptions caused by the halt in Strait traffic.
Oil prices continue to climb as the standoff drags into its third week with no clear sign of de-escalation from either the U.S. or Iran.
Trump pointed directly at the Strait blockage as the single cause of high oil prices, calling opening it “a simple military maneuver.”
How NATO Is Responding
Germany, Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada signed a joint statement Thursday pledging to join “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”
However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made clear that any involvement would only happen after combat ends.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after an EU summit in Brussels, said promoting de-escalation and defending international law was “the best we can do.”
He added: “I have not heard anyone here express a willingness to enter this conflict — quite the opposite.”
The gap between Trump’s demands and NATO’s position remains wide as the war enters its third week with no ceasefire in sight.
As of Friday, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a virtual standstill, and both the U.S. and Iran have shown little sign of backing down.
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