Paris — We’ve been supporting you for a long time, and now it’s our turn. This is how US President Donald Trump, famous for his transactions, formulates his demands, which allies help him achieve. Iran war. He wants to demand IOUs in exchange for decades of US security guarantees.
The string of rejections suggests that his stock of European goodwill is low. He has put allies in a difficult position since returning to the White House, by bullying them Definitions, Greenland And other issues, and Underestimating the sacrifices Their soldiers worked alongside American forces in Afghanistan.
Now he demands – Not just asking – They are sending warships to help the United States open the road Strait of Hormuzthrough which a fifth of the world’s traded oil passes – and essentially wipes it from behind The fire Which he and Israel sparked in the Middle East.
“Universal berries,” was the reply.
This is how veteran French defense analyst François Heisbourg described the Allied reactions.
No close ally came forward to provide immediate assistance. Britain is Flat refusal To be dragged into war. France says the fighting must stop first. Others are not committed. China, which is not an ally but has also been asked to help, is Ignoring Trump’s call.
“This is not Europe’s war. We did not start the war. We were not consulted,” European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday.
Trump singled out the United Kingdom’s rejection. Prime Minister Keir Starmer Cultivated relations with Trump And I arrived Early trade deal With the administration, but it is now among the allies who refuse to join a regional war With no clear end to the game.
Trump said Monday that the United Kingdom was “sort of the Rolls Royce of the allies,” adding that he had requested British minesweeping ships.
“I was not happy with the United Kingdom,” Trump said. “They should participate enthusiastically. We have been protecting these countries for many years.”
Starmer said Britain “would not be drawn into a wider war” and that British forces needed the support of international law and a “proper, considered plan” – suggesting these did not exist.
He initially refused to allow US bombers to attack Iran from British bases before accepting their use to launch strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general of US Army Europe, said allies “are looking at the United States in a way they never have before. And that’s bad for the United States.”
He said that after previously appeasing Trump, some European leaders “have begun to realize that there is no benefit or value in using flattery.”
Go to war Without consulting allies It was in keeping with Trump’s America First view.
“My position is: We don’t need anyone. We are the most powerful country in the world.” He said on Monday.
But it failed to obtain international authorization, as the United States did before intervening in it 1990 Gulf Warbounces back.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said: “It is not our war, we did not start it.” He added, “We want diplomatic solutions and a quick end to the conflict. Sending more warships to the region will certainly not contribute to that.”
French President Emmanuel Macron Iran envisions possible naval escort in the Strait of Hormuz, but only after the fighting ends.
He said, “France did not choose this war. We are not participating.”
After bruising tariff battles with Trump last year, the first months of 2026 have further strained alliances. Trump’s renewed pressure for US control of Greenland, including the threat of tariffs against eight European countries, and his false assertion that allied forces Avoid fighting on the front lines In the Afghanistan war, he upset NATO military partners.
“Allies, or at least the Europeans, are not willing to be on call at Donald Trump’s request,” said Sylvie Berman, a former French ambassador to China, the United Kingdom and Russia.
She added: “Even when he asks for help, he does so in a brutal way, saying: ‘You are useless, we are the strongest, we do not need you, but come.’
Retired naval officers say that the Strait of Hormuz was opened with military escort while the war was raging and without Iran’s approval It will be dangerous.
France was quick to do so The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle The United States is working to the Mediterranean with other countries to prepare for such a mission once the air war subsides. French military spokesman Colonel Guillaume Vernet said that any accompaniment would be conditional on holding talks with Iran, and Macron announced two phone calls within eight days with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
That got points with Trump.
“On a scale of zero to 10, I would say he was 8,” Trump said Monday. “It’s not perfect, but it’s France. We don’t expect perfection.”
But he is angry with the other allies.
“We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, especially, in our time of need,” Trump said Tuesday.
Allies in Europe and Asia need oil, gas and other products to flow from the Middle East again. This gives Trump some leverage.
Allies also know from experience that resisting Trump risks retaliation.
“It could be anything really. Are the Europeans ready for this?” asked Ed Arnold, a former British Army officer who is now a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, a think tank in London.
European allies need Trump’s continued blessing for American weapons, intelligence and other support UkraineAs well as the financial pressure on Russia. The United States has begun to do so Eliminate some penalties on Moscow by temporarily allowing a reduction in Russian oil shipments Lack resulting from the Iran war. The allies also want him to re-engage in talks to end the war.
“This is what kept European leaders quiet for much of last year in the face of rhetoric and actions,” said Amanda Sloat, a former US national security adviser who now teaches at Spain’s IE University.
“That’s also the thing that’s making them a little nervous right now.”
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Burroughs reported from London. Associated Press journalists Jill Lawless in London, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Suman Nishadham in Madrid, Geir Moulson and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Simina Mestrano in Taipei, Taiwan, and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed.