Trump takes another swipe at Australia in latest tirade
US President Donald Trump has wrapped up a lengthy news conference by complaining about the lack of support from Pacific allies in the Iran war.
US President Donald Trump has criticised NATO, Australia, Japan and South Korea for not helping the United States with its war with Iran.
Trump again lamented NATO allies’ refusal to get involved in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and their hesitance to assist US offensive operations against Iran.
But as he wrapped up his lengthy news conference on Monday, he also fumed about the lack of support from Pacific allies.
“You know who else didn’t help us? South Korea didn’t help us,” Trump said.
“You know who else didn’t help us? Australia didn’t help us,” he added.
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“You know who else didn’t help us? Japan. We’ve got 50,000 soldiers in Japan to protect them from North Korea.
“We have 45,000 soldiers in South Korea to protect us from Kim Jong-un, who I get along with very well.”
The US president also stepped up his threats to bomb civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges and power plants, and brushed aside criticism the action might constitute a war crime.
But speaking to reporters in Canberra on Tuesday, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland would not be drawn on Mr Trump’s singling out of Australia.
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“Australia has taken a position, which is that we are not going to be participating in any offensive way in this conflict,” she said.
“We will not be deploying troops, but I will reiterate that the Australia-US alliance remains fundamental and we continue to call for a de-escalation of this conflict.
“People in Australia and around the world are being impacted by events which they did not cause.”
In March, Trump used a blistering social media post to lash a number of countries, including Australia.
He has repeatedly expressed frustration with allies over their lack of support for his proposed naval coalition to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blockaded in response to the war.
One-fifth of the world’s oil supply is transported through the major shipping route.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan backed Labor’s decision not to get involved in the conflict, although he said the government should be more clear on what the US had requested of the nation.
“The Australian government is right,” he told Sky News.
“We have seen the president make a number of statements in the last few days.
“Some of them have been a little bit weird and wild, but … I just would like to see the conflict end, because it’s having a horrific impact on human lives and the world economy.”
-with AP
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