Live Events
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Several countries have reacted cautiously after U.S. President Donald Trump called on about seven nations to deploy warships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, with governments signalling restraint even as tensions in the region push oil prices higher.Trump has said he is pressing countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude to contribute naval forces to keep the vital shipping corridor open during the ongoing conflict with Iran. However, the president has declined to name the nations he is seeking to enlist.Trump previously appealed to China, France, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom to participate.Despite the push from Washington, governments have so far stopped short of offering firm commitments.U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he had been speaking with some of the countries previously mentioned by Trump.He told NBC that he has been "in dialogue" with them and expressed hope that China "will be a constructive partner" in efforts to reopen the strait.In United Kingdom, the government said Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Trump on Sunday about the need to reopen the shipping lane "to end the disruption to global shipping." Starmer also discussed the matter separately with Canada’s prime minister.Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Starmer had initially declined to send British aircraft carriers "into harm's way.""Whether we get support or not, but I can say this, and I said to them: We will remember," Trump said.Beijing’s response was more measured. A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said previously that "all parties have the responsibility to ensure stable and unimpeded energy supply," adding that China would "strengthen communication with relevant parties" in an effort to de-escalate tensions.South Korea said it was reviewing the request. The country’s foreign ministry said it "takes note" of Trump’s call and would "closely coordinate and carefully review" the situation with the United States.Japan signalled a more cautious stance. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told parliament on Monday that Tokyo is "not considering" sending naval forces."In the current Iran situation, we are not at the moment considering issuing a maritime security operation," Koizumi said.Expectations are nevertheless high that Trump will raise the issue directly when Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visits the White House on Thursday.France has suggested a potential multinational mission but emphasised that conditions must first stabilise. President Emmanuel Macron said Paris is working with partners — including countries in Europe, India and Asia — on a possible operation to escort ships through the strait, though he stressed such efforts could proceed only when "the circumstances permit" and fighting subsides.Germany, meanwhile, has signalled it does not intend to be drawn into the conflict. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told ARD television: "Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No."Australia also ruled out a naval deployment for now. Transport Minister Catherine King told national broadcaster ABC that Canberra would not be sending a vessel to the strait.“We won't be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is but that's not something we've been asked or we're contributing to,” King said.The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handling roughly a fifth of global oil trade. Trump has argued that nations relying heavily on the route should shoulder greater responsibility for safeguarding it as the conflict in the Gulf intensifies.