Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump called on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), China, and other nations to help the U.S. secure the Strait of Hormuz, as oil prices continue to increase to nearly $103 per barrel as of Mar. 16.
“I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory. It’s the place from which they get their energy. And they should come and they should help us protect it,” President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, urging the nations to send warships to the region.
“Why are we maintaining the Hormuz Strait when it’s really there for China and many other countries? Why aren’t they doing it?” He questioned, arguing that the maritime chokepoint is far more crucial to them than to the U.S.
President Trump claimed that roughly 90% of China’s oil imports traverse the strait, with the U.S. solely relying on roughly 1% or 2% of its oil.
According to CNBC, “analysts say Beijing has spent the past two decades diversifying energy supplies and building strategic reserves to mitigate potential disruptions.”
President Trump additionally told reporters that the effort would involve “policing” the strait, describing the mission as relatively limited in scope but warning that NATO could face severe repercussions if allies fail to comply.
“It will be interesting to see which countries help,” President Trump told the Financial Times in an interview, adding that it would be “very bad for the future of NATO” if partners decline to participate. A NATO official responded to President Trump’s comments, stating that allied partners are already working to increase security measures along the strait and discussing additional efforts with the U.S. and other partners.
“We are aware that individual allies are talking with the U.S. and others on what more they might do, including in the context of security in the Strait of Hormuz,” the official said.
