US President Donald Trump has warned NATO allies of a “very bad” outcome if they do not assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz, while also hinting that his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping may be delayed, according to comments published by the Financial Times on Sunday (Mar 15).
“I think China should help too because China gets 90 per cent of its oil from the Straits,” Trump told the newspaper, adding that he would prefer clarity on Beijing’s stance before visiting.
Trump also urged nations benefiting from the critical shipping route to contribute to its security. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” he said.
The US president previously called for countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain to deploy warships to keep the waterway open as Iranian forces continue attacks following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. He told the FT that assistance could include minesweepers and other military assets to counter drones and naval mines.
“We’re hitting them very hard,” Trump said of Iranian forces. “They’ve got nothing left but to make a little trouble in the Strait … these people are beneficiaries and they ought to help us police it.”
Iran effectively closed the strait after the US and Israel launched attacks more than two weeks ago. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, normally handles about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Trump also warned that the US could target Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, if necessary. “We can hit that in five minutes, and there’s not a thing they can do about it,” he said.
He criticised Britain’s response after discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, noting that the UK initially hesitated to contribute ships and only agreed after US forces had already diminished Iran’s military capabilities.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng concluded the first of two days of talks in Paris on Sunday to address issues in the trade truce and pave the way for Trump’s scheduled Beijing visit at the end of March.
Neither the White House nor China’s foreign ministry immediately responded to requests for comment.
