Trump Demands Allies Help Secure Strait of Hormuz as Shipping Stalls

U.S. President calls on countries like China to contribute warships to protect critical oil chokepoint

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:06am

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U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that other countries should help the U.S. secure the Strait of Hormuz, arguing the key shipping route benefits them more than it does Washington. Trump claimed that about 90% of China's crude imports pass through the strait, while the U.S. only relies on it for "1%, 2%" of its oil. However, analysts say Beijing has spent the past two decades diversifying energy supplies. Trump warned that "we will remember" if countries do not contribute to securing the strait, which has seen several ships damaged since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran last month.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for oil and natural gas shipments, with about a fifth of the world's supply passing through the narrow waterway. Disruptions to shipping in the strait could have major economic and geopolitical consequences, especially for countries heavily dependent on Gulf energy exports like China and U.S. allies in Europe.

The details

Trump said countries such as China, which rely more heavily on oil shipments passing through the Strait, should contribute to securing it. He claimed the U.S. only relies on the strait for "1%, 2%" of its oil, while about 90% of China's crude imports pass through it. However, analysts say Beijing has spent the past two decades diversifying energy supplies and building strategic reserves to mitigate potential disruptions. Vessel traffic on the Strait of Hormuz has effectively come to a standstill since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran last month, with several ships damaged. Trump said the U.S. was talking to about seven countries, although he declined to name them, and criticized the NATO alliance for not doing more.

  • On March 16, 2026, Trump made the comments aboard Air Force One.
  • On March 13, 2026, Trump claimed on Truth Social that "Many Countries" would be sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
  • In the past month, several ships plying the Strait of Hormuz have been damaged since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who is now calling on other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

China

A country that Trump claims relies on the Strait of Hormuz for about 90% of its crude oil imports.

Iran

A country that has been accused of attempting to close the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the U.S. and Israel launching attacks against it.

Kier Starmer

The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who Trump said had offered to deploy aircraft carriers to the region.

Edward Fishman

A director at the Council on Foreign Relations who said the Trump administration did not consult allies in Europe or Asia before launching military action against Iran.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“Remember, these countries, despite being U.S. allies, have been hit with really steep tariffs by the Trump administration over the last year.”

— Edward Fishman, Director, Council on Foreign Relations (CNBC)

“Whether we get support or not, I can say this, and I said it to them: we will remember.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

Several European nations, including France and the United Kingdom, have discussed plans to allow commercial shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz.

The takeaway

Trump's demands for other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz highlight the geopolitical tensions and economic stakes involved in maintaining the free flow of oil and gas through this critical global chokepoint. The U.S. and its allies will need to navigate a complex web of competing interests and past grievances to coordinate an effective response to the current disruptions.