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U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he was "very disappointed" with NATO and accused the alliance, along with several key U.S. allies including Japan, Australia and South Korea, of failing to help Washington during the war with Iran, while saying some Gulf countries had provided support and that NATO members were only now seeking to offer assistance.
Speaking at a White House news conference, Trump said the conflict with Iran had left a mark on NATO "that will never disappear." He said NATO members had wanted to avoid helping until the United States had already won the war, and repeated his criticism that the alliance had not supported U.S. efforts, including on the Strait of Hormuz and in offensive operations against Iran.
He also singled out Japan, Australia and South Korea, saying they "didn't help us," while contrasting their stance with Persian Gulf countries he said had been helpful.
Trump said he was deeply frustrated with NATO over its role during the conflict. "I have to tell you that I am very disappointed in NATO," he said.
He added that the war had left "a mark on NATO that will never disappear."
Trump said NATO members were now trying to engage with him and offer support only after the United States had already won the war. "They're coming to see me on Wednesday," he said, adding that "all of a sudden" they now wanted to send help.
He claimed NATO members had wanted to refrain from helping until the United States had already achieved victory.
Trump also repeated his criticism that NATO is a "paper tiger."
"We didn't need them, obviously, because they haven't helped at all," he said.
Trump also directed criticism at Pacific allies, saying they had failed to assist the United States during the war with Iran.
"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.
He linked those complaints to the U.S. military presence in Asia.
"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," Trump said.
He also said, "You know who else didn't help us? South Korea didn't help us. You know who else didn't help us? Australia didn't help us. You know who else didn't help us? Japan."
Trump said he gets along "very well" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
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While criticizing NATO and several Asian allies, Trump commended several Persian Gulf countries. He said Saudi Arabia had been "excellent," and also praised Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Trump said their involvement was related to their proximity to the conflict.
His remarks drew a contrast between those countries and allies he said had failed to assist the United States in the war.
Trump also suggested that the widening rift between the United States and NATO began earlier, when he first proposed taking over Greenland.
"It all began with, if you want to know the truth, Greenland," he said.
"We want Greenland. They don't want to give it to us. And I said, 'bye, bye.'"
His comments came ahead of a planned White House visit later in the week by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump said some NATO countries had refused to aid the U.S. war effort against Iran, including decisions by a number of countries to close their airspace or military bases to the U.S. military.
Trump also launched into remarks about the phrase "to the winner go the spoils," saying it no longer seemed to apply in modern times.
The comments appeared to follow his earlier remarks that he would like to take Iran's oil, even as he said the American public wanted the war to end.
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