Trump expresses dissatisfaction with Japan, South Korea, Germany and NATO
US President Donald Trump has expressed displeasure with some US allies over their responses to his request for help in the effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump told reporters on Monday that the United States has 45,000 troops in Japan, 45,000 in South Korea, and another 45,000 or 50,000 troops in Germany.
He noted that the US defends all those countries. He went on to complain that when the nations were asked to provide minesweepers, they responded by essentially saying, "Well, would it be possible for us not to get involved?"
NHK asked the US Defense Department about the troop numbers that Trump mentioned. An official said there are 50,000 in Japan, 28,500 in South Korea and 35,000 in Germany.
Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with NATO. He said, "We spend trillions and trillions of dollars on NATO to defend other countries, and I always said, but if it ever comes time to defend us, they're not going to be there."
The president added, "We're going to have to start thinking more wisely in this country."