Trump called many US allies "not friends" over trade

Former US President Donald Trump harshly criticized Washington's traditional allies, claiming that many of them are not true friends of the United States. In an interview with Fox News, the politician explained his position, pointing out that these countries benefit even more from trade relations with the US than China.

Donald Trump, who is likely to be the Republican Party's nominee in the upcoming elections, has once again raised the issue of what he considers unfair trade relations that the United States maintains with key international partners.

During an interview on foreign policy and economics, Trump emphasized that his criticism applies not only to geopolitical rivals but also to countries traditionally considered Washington's closest allies. He claimed that these partners exploit trade agreements to gain excessive economic benefits at the expense of the United States.

The former president drew a direct comparison between the trade policies of his allies and the actions of China, which has been the main target of his trade wars for many years. Trump asserts that his allies have proven even more efficient in their use of American resources.

"Well, many of our allies are not our friends either. Our allies have benefited from us in terms of trade more than China, and China has benefited more," Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

Trump's statement reflects his long-standing position on the need to review international trade agreements and burden-sharing principles, particularly in the defense sector.

Criticism of allies over trade imbalances and inadequate funding for mutual defense is one of the cornerstones of Donald Trump's "America First" political platform.

During his first term as president (2017–2021), Trump repeatedly imposed tariffs on goods from allied countries, including the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, demanding more favorable terms for American producers. He also regularly criticized NATO countries for failing to meet their defense spending commitments, threatening to cut American support for the alliance.

Comparing allies to China is also nothing new. The Trump administration waged a major trade war with Beijing, imposing multi-billion dollar tariffs to reduce the massive trade deficit. This statement suggests that if he returns to the White House, Trump may take an even more assertive approach to reconsidering trade relations not only with competitors but also with the United States' closest partners.

Earlier, Trump stated that the United States was no longer funding Ukraine.