President Trump reportedly used a stop in Ireland this weekend to push European allies, particularly the United Kingdom, to take a harder line on immigration, while also revealing that NATO had declined his request for help protecting the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking Saturday at Deerfield Residence in Dublin during a two-day visit ahead of the Irish Open, which is being held at his golf club in Doonbeg, County Clare, Trump reflected on his own European roots before pivoting to criticize what he sees as failing immigration policy across the continent. “They came from the Congo, they came from all over Africa, all over the Middle East, from South America. They came from all over. And there was no discrimination. They came from all over,” Trump said, referencing immigration into Europe broadly. “We got ’em the hell out. And, frankly, the United Kingdom has to do the same thing. I hate to tell you. They could watch what we’ve done and so could other European” countries, he said.
Trump went on to describe his personal connection to Europe, noting his mother was from Scotland and his father’s family from Germany. “Of Europe I have a natural inclination, and I sort of hate to see what’s happening with Europe, I hate to see what’s happening on trade, I hate to see what’s happening on energy, and I hate to see what’s happening on immigration,” he said, adding, “that immigration what you’re doing to yourselves, you’re just killing yourselves. But we’re going to work with them. Very disappointing in many ways.”
The president then turned to the ongoing military standoff with Iran, revealing that he had personally asked NATO allies for assistance protecting the Strait of Hormuz, a request the alliance declined. “NATO didn’t want to help us with the Strait even though we don’t need it, we have more oil than anybody, as you know. But we thought it was important,” Trump said. He noted that many NATO countries import between 40 and 60 percent of their energy needs, yet still turned down the request. “I said, would you like to help us with the Hormuz strait? No, we’d rather not get involved,” Trump recounted, adding he did not pressure the allies. “I didn’t do a heavy sell, honestly. I didn’t do a Trump kind of a sell. I just say, would you like to help us with the Hormuz strait? Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister. No, we’d rather not get involved, Mr. President. Oh, thank you very much.”
Trump framed NATO’s refusal as ultimately saving the United States money given how much American funding flows to the alliance. “So indirectly, they’re saving us a lot of money,” he said, before adding pointedly, “But I put it down because why the hell are we helping them? So you’ll be hearing that later,” suggesting there may be further fallout or policy changes stemming from the rebuffed request.
The remarks came as Trump continues to navigate an increasingly complex set of overlapping crises in the Middle East, even as he uses his overseas travel to needle European allies over trade, energy policy, and border security.
