Trump: China Must Assist in Securing Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz

Moscow — US President Donald Trump believes that China should play a role and provide assistance in restoring maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition to China, Trump has also requested France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and several other nations to send their warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

“I think China should help too, because China gets 90 per cent of its oil through this strait,” the US President said in an interview with the Financial Times.

Trump expects follow-up action from Beijing before he undertakes a visit to China.

However, he also stated that his visit to China, planned for April, could be postponed.

On 28 February, the US and Israel launched a joint attack against Iran, including Tehran, resulting in infrastructure damage and loss of life.

Iran subsequently carried out retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory and US military bases throughout the Middle East.

The escalation in Iran has triggered a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for the shipment of oil and LPG from Persian Gulf countries to global markets.

The disruption to maritime activity has also impacted oil export and production levels in the Persian Gulf region.