Trump says allies ‘not enthusiastic’ about securing the Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday criticized several US allies for declining or hesitating to send naval forces to help escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, March 16, Trump said some countries had been slow to respond to his requests despite decades of US security support.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East as Iran continues to target vessels and regional infrastructure in the strategic waterway, a key global shipping route for oil.
Trump said the United States had sought support from allied nations to help ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the contested strait.
While some countries have indicated they may participate, Trump said others have been reluctant or noncommittal about joining the effort.
Trump criticizes allies for reluctance to support Hormuz security mission
Trump said he had asked several countries to contribute naval forces to help escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, but had received mixed responses. “Numerous countries have told me they’re on the way,” he said, without identifying the nations.
“Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some aren’t. Some are countries that we’ve helped for many, many years. We’ve protected them from horrible outside sources, and they weren’t that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me.”
Trump said the administration would release a list of participating countries at a later date.
“We have some that are really enthusiastic. They’re coming already. They’ve already started to get there,” he said. “You know, it takes a little while to get there.”
The president said the mission to escort oil tankers would be relatively limited in scope, even as Iranian projectiles have continued to target shipping in the region.
Trump says allies’ hesitation shows US carries defense burden
Trump also argued that the responses from some allies reflected a broader pattern he had long anticipated.
“I’ve been a big critic of all of the protecting of countries because I know that we’ll protect them. And if we ever needed help, they won’t be there for us. I’ve just known that for a long period of time,” he said.
He also cited examples of countries where the United States maintains a large military presence but has received limited support for the mission.
“We have some countries where we have 45,000 soldiers, great soldiers, protecting them from harm’s way, and we have done a great job,” Trump said. “And when we want to know, ‘Do you have any mine sweepers?’ ‘Well, would rather not get involved, sir.’"
Despite urging allies to participate, Trump also emphasized that the United States could carry out the mission independently if necessary.
“I don’t do a hard sell on them, because my attitude is, we don’t need anybody. We’re the strongest nation in the world. We have the strongest military, by far, in the world. We don’t need them,” he said. “But it’s interesting: I’m almost doing it in some cases, not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react,” he added.
