Trump slams China, US allies for not jumping at chance to help open the Strait of Hormuz: They should be thanking us
President Trump slammed China and US allies Monday for demurring on his request to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz and reopen the vital oil trading route.Trump said he’s asked seven countries to send ships to ensure the narrow shipping lane stays open during the war with Iran.And so far he’s not gotten any takers.
One NATO ally even refused to get involved.Their reluctance comes even though the vast majority of the oil flowing through the strait goes to Asia.“They should be not only thanking us, they should be helping us,” he said.“What does surprise me is that they’re not eager.”Following the start of the war, Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route that oversees the transportation of 20% of the world’s oil supply.With Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterating that the passageway is “closed to enemies” of Tehran, Trump has reached out to America’s allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.China — which gets 45% of its oil via the strait — said it is in talks with Iran to let its ships through.
Some ships from India, Pakistan and Turkey have been allowed through the blockade.“Iran has always used that as an economic weapon, and it’s not going to be able to be used very long,” Trump said of the crucial waterway.“Numerous countries have told me they’re on the way.Some are very enthusiastic about it,” he added while declining to name all the nation’s he’s spoken to.The public responses, however, have been tepid given Iran’s dominance over the passageway and repeated attacks on tankers and merchant vessels trying to cross since the war began.
With the strait shut down, oil prices continue to spike, with the cost of crude up nearly 40% since the war, with Brent hitting $102.27 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude at $94.36 on Monday.The top recipients of oil that flows through Hormuz from countries in the Persian Gulf are:The US takes about 2.5% of the oil from Gulf countrie...