Key Points
- Trump urges NATO allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz.
- Warns of consequences if allies fail to support US efforts.
- Calls on China to join international security mission.
- Hints at delaying planned summit with Xi Jinping.
- US seeks naval support including minesweepers.
- Strait handles about 20% of global oil shipments.
- Trump warns US could target Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub.
WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that NATO could face serious consequences if its allies fail to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, according to comments published by the Financial Times on Sunday.
In the interview, Trump said countries that rely on the strategic waterway should contribute to keeping it open and safe for international shipping. He suggested that the United States cannot shoulder the responsibility alone and that nations benefiting from the route must play a greater role in protecting it.
Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad’ future if allies do not help secure Strait of Hormuz https://t.co/xhydMPDTf2
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) March 16, 2026
“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump told the newspaper.
According to Reuters, the US president specifically called on China to support efforts to maintain security in the narrow channel, noting that Beijing depends heavily on energy shipments passing through the strait.
Trump said China receives around 90% of its oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, making stability in the region particularly important for its economy.
Trump added that he would prefer to understand China’s position on the issue before proceeding with a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hinting that the visit could be postponed if cooperation is not forthcoming.
“We may delay,” he said when asked about the potential trip to Beijing. Meanwhile, senior officials from both countries are already engaged in diplomatic talks.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng concluded the first day of discussions in Paris aimed at easing tensions in the trade relationship and preparing the ground for Trump’s potential meeting with Xi later this month.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, in the Arabian Sea is a vital artery for global energy supplies. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass through the narrow passage, making disruptions to shipping there a major concern for international markets.
Trump has called on several countries, including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, to contribute naval resources to protect the waterway after Iranian forces reportedly launched attacks following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
When asked what kind of support he expects, Trump suggested nations could deploy minesweepers and other military equipment to counter potential threats such as naval mines and drones in the area, according to BBC.
“We’re hitting them very hard,” Trump said of Iranian forces, adding that Tehran’s remaining leverage appears to lie in disrupting shipping traffic through the strait.
Iran has effectively restricted activity in the channel since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against it more than two weeks ago, raising concerns over global energy security and regional stability.
Trump also warned that Washington could escalate pressure further by targeting Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. He said US forces could strike the facility quickly if necessary.
“We can hit that in five minutes,” Trump said, adding that Iran would have limited ability to respond. The US president also criticised Britain’s initial reaction to his request for assistance.
After speaking with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said London had been reluctant to send naval support in the early stages of the crisis.
“The UK might be considered the number one ally,” Trump told the Financial Times, adding that Britain offered to deploy ships only after the United States had already significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities.
The White House and China’s foreign ministry did not immediately comment on Trump’s remarks. The escalating tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz highlight growing concerns about regional security and the potential impact on global energy supplies if the critical maritime route remains disrupted.
