Trump Says Middle East Allies Are Better Than NATO

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said that America's allies in the Middle East are much better than NATO member countries.

"[Middle Eastern countries] are a much better ally than NATO," Trump told CNBC on Tuesday, April 21, as reported by Sputnik.

He specifically named the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a "good ally," adding that US aid to the country was being considered.

"If the UAE has a problem, although I find it hard to imagine, but if they have a problem, we will be there for them," Trump said.

The Wall Street Journal reported that UAE representatives had raised the possibility of US financial support in talks with Washington officials, in case the conflict in the Middle East worsened the crisis in the UAE country.

On Monday, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the US was ready to provide financial assistance to the country, but estimated that such a move would not be necessary.

On April 1, Trump said he was seriously considering withdrawing the US from NATO after allies refused to join the US-Israeli war against Iran.

He said he no longer viewed Europe as a reliable defense partner after European countries rejected his request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.