Trump lashes out at allies and threatens to withdraw from NATO: Starmer is not Churchill, Macron may step down

PANews reported on March 18 that, according to Jinshi News, US President Trump expressed anger on Tuesday over the reluctance of allies to participate in the anti-piracy escort mission in the Strait of Hormuz. During a meeting with the Irish Prime Minister at the White House, Trump fiercely criticized British Prime Minister Starmer and French President Macron. Trump stated that he was disappointed in Starmer, saying that before Starmer took office, US-UK relations were "the best," and mocked Starmer as "not Churchill" and ineffective. Trump criticized Macron's leadership, saying he would soon be out of office. When asked if withdrawing from NATO should be considered, Trump said, "That's something to consider. I don't need Congress to make that decision." However, he added that there were no concrete plans at present, but he was not satisfied with the current situation. Previously, Trump criticized NATO on social media, saying that most NATO "allies" were unwilling to be involved in military action against Iran, and that the US no longer needed NATO's assistance, specifically naming Japan, Australia, and South Korea. Republican Senator Graham, after meeting with Trump, said that Trump had never been so angry.