U.S. President Donald Trump warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if allies do not help keep the Strait of Hormuz open and said he may delay a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to comments published by the Financial Times on Sunday.
Trump said countries that rely on the strategic waterway should help secure it.
“I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits,” he told the newspaper, adding that he would prefer to understand Beijing’s position before making the planned trip to China.
“We may delay,” he said when asked about the meeting with Xi.
Paris Talks Ahead Of Possible Summit
Trump’s remarks came as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng completed the first day of talks in Paris aimed at easing tensions in the U.S.–China trade relationship.
The discussions are part of efforts to stabilise a trade truce and prepare for a possible summit between Trump and Xi in Beijing later this month.
Call For International Naval Support
Trump said countries that benefit from the shipping route should contribute to protecting it.
“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” he told the Financial Times.
On Saturday, Trump called on countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain to send warships to help keep the narrow waterway open as Iranian forces continue attacks following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
When asked what kind of support he expected, Trump said it could include minesweepers and other military assets capable of countering drones and naval mines.
Tensions Around Critical Oil Route
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Iran effectively shut the route after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets more than two weeks ago.
Trump said U.S. forces were already striking Iranian positions.
“We’re hitting them very hard,” he said, adding that Iranian forces were attempting to create disruption in the strait.
“These people are beneficiaries and they ought to help us police it,” he added.
Threat To Target Iranian Oil Hub
Trump also warned that Washington could launch further strikes against Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, suggesting U.S. forces could target its oil infrastructure if necessary.
“We can hit that in five minutes,” he said. “And there’s not a thing they can do about it.”
Criticism Of Britain’s Response
The U.S. president also criticised Britain’s response after speaking with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump said Britain initially declined his request to send naval support.
“The UK might be considered the number one ally… and when I asked for them to come, they didn’t want to come,” he said, adding that London later offered to deploy ships only after U.S. strikes had already weakened Iran’s military capabilities.
The White House and China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
(with inputs from Reuters)
