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President Trump urged countries like Japan and China to join US forces in keeping the Strait of Hormuz clear for shipping.
“We’re hammering [Iran’s] capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with more than 30 mine-laying ships destroyed,” the president said, noting that 95% of Japan’s oil imports pass through the strait.
President Trump called on other nations to help the United States with reopening the Strait of Hormuz during remarks before a Kennedy Center board meeting in the East Room on March 16, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
A Thai cargo ship that was hit by Iranian missiles after crossing the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026. ROYAL THAI NAVY/HANDOUT/EPA/ShutterstockTrump added that 90% of China’s oil passes through Hormuz, along with 35% of South Korea’s oil imports.
“Iran has always used that as an economic weapon, and it’s not going to be able to be used very long,” Trump said of the crucial waterway.
“Numerous countries have told me they’re on the way. Some are very enthusiastic about it,” he added, continuing that some “weren’t that enthusiastic, and the level of enthusiasm — that matters to me.”
“These people literally need it,” he said, “and they should be in here very happily helping us.”
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