Video: “What can handful of European ships do that US Navy can’t?” Germany rejects Trump’s warship plea
Abdullateef Fowewe
German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius has rejected US President, Donald Trump’s appeal for European naval support in the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing the idea as unrealistic and underscoring that the escalating conflict with Iran is not Europe’s fight.
Speaking amid Trump’s push for allies including China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others to deploy warships alongside US forces, Pistorius questioned the value of limited European contributions.
“What does Donald Trump expect from a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to achieve there in the Strait of Hormuz, which the powerful American Navy cannot manage alone?” he said.
He added, “We did not start this war. It is not our war; we did not start it.”
The rebuff highlights a growing transatlantic rift, with Germany, Greece, and Italy citing fears of entanglement in a US-led Mideast escalation outside NATO’s defensive scope.
The Strait of Hormuz, which carries 21% of global oil trade, remains a flashpoint due to Iranian disruptions, but European leaders prioritise de-escalation to avoid broader conflict.
Trump’s call seeks to counter these threats through multinational patrols, yet Pistorius’ stance signals reluctance among key allies, potentially testing NATO cohesion and alliance ties.
