Sir Keir Starmer has said that Nato is “in America’s interest” but that European members must strengthen their commitment, following US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to withdraw from the alliance. The Prime Minister made the remarks after speaking to Mr Trump about the need for a “practical plan” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid reports that Iran wants to charge vessels for passage.
Speaking to broadcasters, Sir Keir said: “We’re very strong supporters of Nato and I’ve been making the argument for some considerable time that we need to do more. Do we Europeans need to do more? Yes, I’ve been making that argument for the best part of two years.” He added that Nato had “kept us much safer than we would otherwise have been”.
The Prime Minister earlier criticised Mr Trump over the knock-on effects of the conflict, saying he was “fed up” with bills going up in the UK “because of the actions of Putin or Trump”. He told ITV’s Talking Politics Podcast that allies share “a very strong sense that can’t be tolling or restrictions on that navigation” on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of the ceasefire.
Mr Trump has posted on Truth Social that Iran “better not be” charging fees to tankers and that “that is not the agreement we have!” The US president agreed a fragile two-week truce earlier this week, with the reopening of the strait a key condition. However, the ceasefire soon came under strain after Israel’s bombardment of Beirut prompted Iran to close the shipping lane again.
Speaking as he left Qatar, Sir Keir warned that the conflict would “define us for a generation” and that allies had shared a desire to work closely together on defence and economic resilience. He said: “This conflict is going to define us for a generation and we must respond, and we will respond, with strength.”
