Washington, 27 March 2026 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump criticized Germany for not contributing to efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, saying he found it "inappropriate" that German officials had said the conflict was "not our war."

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday, Trump did not name anyone directly but attributed the remarks to "the head of Germany."

Several senior German officials have made similar comments in recent days. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a visit to Norway that Germany was not part of the war, and does not want to change that. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil both said: "It is not our war."

Trump said he had responded to that stance by noting: "Well, Ukraine is not our war."

The US president has asked NATO allies to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively disrupted by the Iran war. The narrow waterway is a key artery for global oil trade. After allies did not respond to the request, Trump has repeatedly criticized them in strong terms.

Photo: EPA