US-China Agree to Reject Toll Fees in Strait of Hormuz

Tokyo (ANTARA) - United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have agreed that no country should impose toll tariffs for crossing the Strait of Hormuz. US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Kyodo News Agency on Tuesday (12/5) that the agreement was reached during a telephone conversation between Rubio and Wang on 30 April. “Both agreed that no country or organisation is permitted to impose toll fees for crossing international waterways, such as the Strait of Hormuz,” Pigott said. According to him, both sides also agreed that Washington and Beijing need to build a constructive and stable strategic relationship based on mutual respect and reciprocity. Trump is reportedly frustrated over the minimal progress in talks to reopen the strait, while domestic petrol prices remain high. Therefore, Trump will ask Xi to “urge” Iran to reach an agreement with the United States. China is Iran’s largest buyer of crude oil and serves as an important economic lifeline for Tehran. Rubio accompanied Trump’s visit to Beijing along with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Trump is scheduled to meet Xi on Thursday (14/5) and Friday (15/5).