By Gloria Ogbonna
During Friday’s broadcast of CNN’s The Lead, British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner addressed former President Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of NATO, emphasizing that while Trump has been critical of the alliance, he has also been right to pressure member nations to increase their defense spending.
Speaking with CNN anchor Jake Tapper, Turner acknowledged that Trump’s calls for greater European military contributions have had a noticeable impact. Many NATO allies, he said, are now significantly boosting defense budgets to address growing global security threats. However, Turner was clear in underscoring NATO’s core mission.
“One of the things we should emphasize,” Turner explained, “is that NATO is a defensive alliance. It exists for our shared protection.” He pointed out that in NATO’s long history, Article 5 — the collective defense clause stating that an attack on one member is an attack on all — has been invoked only once. That moment came after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, when allies rallied in solidarity with America.
Tapper pressed Turner on Trump’s sharper rhetoric, noting that the former president has recently described NATO as a “paper tiger” and even questioned whether the United States should remain part of the alliance. Turner responded by reiterating that European leaders understand the urgency of stepping up and are acting accordingly.
“You’ll hear from ambassadors like me, from leaders across Europe, and from Mark Rutte, who has been solid on this issue, that we recognize the need to do more — and we are doing it,” Turner said. He highlighted what he described as an “extraordinary rise” in defense spending among NATO nations to confront shared security challenges.
Beyond NATO funding, Turner also addressed mounting concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. He revealed that leaders meeting in Paris — including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron — are actively working to support Trump’s call for stronger protections in the region.
Turner explained that once any blockade or negotiations surrounding the Strait are resolved, the international community must ensure that commercial shipping can move freely and safely through the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically vital passages, carrying a significant portion of global oil supplies. Any disruption there could have widespread economic consequences.
According to Turner, 51 countries — including nations from Asia, Africa, the Gulf region, South Korea, and Japan — have expressed their commitment to maintaining open access to the Strait. He stressed that these countries will not accept the imposition of tolls, restrictions, or threats to freedom of navigation.
To safeguard the waterway, Turner outlined plans for a collective military mission that would include de-mining operations, naval escorts for commercial vessels, intelligence-sharing, and coordinated command and control structures. He expressed hope that this multinational effort could transition seamlessly into action once a broader diplomatic agreement is finalized.
Importantly, Turner emphasized that these efforts would be carried out in close coordination with the United States, reinforcing the transatlantic partnership even amid political disagreements.
His remarks reflect a broader message from European leaders: while debate continues over burden-sharing within NATO, there remains strong support for the alliance’s defensive mission and a willingness to work alongside Washington to address emerging global threats — particularly in strategically sensitive regions like the Strait of Hormuz.
Source Breitbart
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