British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that NATO is entirely “in America’s interest”, as he made a strong defense of the alliance while acknowledging that European countries must do more.He described NATO as “the most effective military alliance the world has ever seen” and said it has kept both Europe and the United States secure for decades.
Reaction after American criticism
Starmer’s reaction came after US President Donald Trump stepped up his criticism of NATO and threatened to withdraw from the bloc, citing dissatisfaction over defense spending and a lack of support during the Iran conflict.After a phone call with Trump, the British Prime Minister reiterated that the alliance serves both US and European security interests and should be strengthened, not weakened.
Strive for a more European role
Acknowledging that the concerns raised by Washington are not unfounded, Starmer said European countries need to increase their contributions and play a bigger role within the alliance.He indicated that a strong European pillar within NATO would ultimately make the alliance more balanced and flexible.
Focus on the Strait of Hormuz
A large part of Starmer’s discussions with Trump focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route disrupted by the Iran war.The UK is working with allies on a “practical plan” involving diplomatic coordination and potentially military logistics to restore safe navigation.
Fragile ceasefire, long-term impact
Starmer warned that the current ceasefire between the US and Iran remains “fragile” and requires continued international effort. He underlined its far-reaching consequences, saying the conflict could “define us for a generation”.He also expressed frustration over rising energy costs and linked it to global instability driven by leaders like Vladimir Putin and Trump.Meanwhile, Ed Davey welcomed Starmer’s stance, calling Trump’s position on NATO “troubling” and urging stronger cooperation with global allies.Starmer concluded by stressing the need for coordinated international action, saying the UK would continue to work with partners to strengthen NATO and address the wider Middle East crisis.
