April 22, 2026 | 11:23 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US President Donald Trump hailed America's allies in the Middle East as far better than NATO members.
"[Middle Eastern countries] are much better allies than NATO," Trump told CNBC on Tuesday, as quoted from Antara on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
He specifically pointed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a "good ally," adding that US assistance to the country was under consideration.
“They’re really led by incredible people … I mean, I’m surprised, because they are really rich,” he said, as quoted from TRT World.
"If the UAE had a problem, I find it hard to believe, but if they had a problem, we would be there for them," Trump added.
The Wall Street Journal reported that UAE representatives had raised the possibility of US financial support in talks with Washington officials, should the conflict in the Middle East worsen the UAE's crisis.
On Monday, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the US was ready to provide financial assistance to the country but did not expect such a step to 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 stated that he no longer views Europe as a reliable defense partner after European countries rejected his request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
Read: Trump Threatens NATO Exit Following Iran War
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