President Donald Trump has established new rules for America’s allied countries, warning that nations opposing US policies in one region may face consequences in another. During his second term, Trump has intensified pressure on allied countries, often humiliating their leaders and leveraging decades-old security relationships to advance his personal and political agendas. The conflict with Iran has further accelerated this approach. Trump’s frustration with allies who keep a distance from the war has grown, leading him to penalize countries involved in efforts to end the conflict.
South Korea, once praised by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as an exemplary ally, has recently become a surprising target in Trump’s campaign of retaliation. On Sunday, Trump ordered the Pentagon to significantly scale back the Ulchi Freedom Shield annual military exercises, citing their high cost. This joint exercise has been a cornerstone of US and Seoul defense strategy against nuclear-armed North Korea for nearly half a century. Trump also claimed to have a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, ‘I recently asked the President of South Korea to participate in ending Iran’s nuclear program, and he said, thank you, we cannot.’
In a Monday press briefing, Trump added, ‘We cannot always defend all these countries, especially those that do not cooperate.’ European nations have long endured Trump’s attacks on the US-led alliance, and the Iran war has further strained these ties. Trump’s pressure campaign has become more systematic. According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon has sent a questionnaire to NATO allies to test their loyalty to Trump’s foreign policy. Based on their responses, the US will decide where to deploy or withdraw military forces. The survey focuses on American military deployments and arms purchases, primarily gauging each country’s support for the Trump administration’s foreign policy.
Allied countries that have resisted this coercive approach have already paid a price. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly criticized Trump’s Iran strategy, leading the Pentagon to decide in May to withdraw nearly 5,000 US troops from Germany. Spain refused to allow US military bases to be used for an attack on Iran, prompting Trump to threaten a complete halt to trade with Spain. Within weeks, Pentagon officials proposed suspending Spain’s NATO membership. Oman, a key mediator attempting to facilitate a Hormuz agreement, has also come under Trump’s scrutiny. On Monday, Trump threatened harsh repercussions if Oman broke the deal with Iran. This escalating conflict has also exposed the limits of American military power.
Trump and Iran set a 60-day deadline for a final peace agreement, which expired Monday without a deal. Since signing the memorandum of understanding in June, both sides have grown further apart. Despite US military and economic pressure, tensions remain high around the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump has asserted that the waterway should remain open and effectively become US-controlled territory. In light of rising tensions, the US Navy is withdrawing the USS George Washington from the Western Pacific, relieving the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. This move will leave the Asian region temporarily without a US aircraft carrier. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelley stated, ‘President Trump has restored America’s respect. The results are clear to everyone: nine wars ended; hostages freed from Gaza; fairer trade deals. Now, Iran will never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.’ She claimed Trump would never tolerate unfair treatment of America, correcting decades-old mistakes of predecessors and making diplomatic relations bilateral and equal.
Trump is teaching America’s partners that Washington may not always be there to support them when needed. This is likely to motivate them to reduce dependence on the US, gradually weakening the network of alliances that has strengthened American power for generations.
