iscover
US President Donald Trump has singled out Australia as being “not great” in supporting the war in Iran.
Targeting not only Australia, President Trump has also lashed out on the UK and allied nations, despite the UK and Australia both responding to the requests for assistance.
“[Starmer] did something that was shocking. He didn’t want to help us,” President Trump said.
“Australia, too – Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia.”
“I wouldn’t say anybody was great, other than the five countries in the Middle East. We never really had very much support.”
Earlier this month, Australia deployed an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the United Arab Emirates, which Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasised is an important, valuable contribution by Australia.
“The one request we’ve had from the United States has been in respect of providing support for the defence of the Gulf states, which is in fact what we are doing” he said on the Today show.
“All we can do is respond to this situation, respond to the requests that are made of us, but doing so very much with a focus on what is Australia’s interest.
“And that is what we’re doing. And as it turns out, that has led to a pretty significant commitment that we’ve made to the region in terms of the deployment of the E‑7.”
Australia has also provided the UAE with Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to offer additional support.
The UK, France, Germany and Canada, have offered a range of measures in cooperation with the US, with the UK allowing them to use their military bases for defensive strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump said in the same press conference that the UK aircraft carriers were “not the best” and “toys compared to what we have”.
As the world has seen for nearly a decade, these comments from the President are not a new personality flair.
Just last week, he singled out Australia again on Truth Social, saying, “Because of the fact that we have had such military success, we no longer ‘need’, or desire, the NATO countries’ assistance – We never did! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.”
“In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the most powerful country Anywhere in the world, We do not need the help of anyone!”
