President Trump Demands Asian Allies and China Secure Strait of Hormuz Amid Stalled Oil Transit

President Trump asserts that South Korea, Japan, and China should reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing their heavy reliance on Gulf oil compared to the U.S.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 3:16 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

Trump Shifts Maritime Security Burden to Major Asian Oil Importers

President Donald Trump has explicitly called for a coalition of Asian powers to take the lead in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint currently obstructed by regional hostilities. Speaking during a private Easter lunch at the White House, the President suggested that the responsibility for maritime stability should fall on the nations most dependent on the passage. According to the Associated Press, Trump singled out China, Japan, and South Korea as the parties that should be "involved" in the reopening efforts, signaling a potential pivot in American foreign policy regarding the protection of international shipping lanes.

Frustration Mounts Over Disproportionate U.S. Military Risk in Korea

The President’s remarks included a sharp critique of the current security arrangement with South Korea, highlighting what he perceives as an imbalance of risk. Trump noted that the United States maintains approximately 45,000 soldiers in the region, positioned near a nuclear-armed neighbor, while South Korea remains heavily reliant on Gulf energy. According to Trump, the dynamic of the U.S. providing both local defense and global maritime security for its allies is no longer sustainable, leading to his blunt assertion that South Korea should be the one to act in the Strait.

Heavy Energy Reliance Prompts Critique of Japanese Inactivity

Japan’s significant dependence on Middle Eastern oil was also a focal point of the President’s critique of the current naval stalemate. Trump emphasized that Japan receives roughly 90% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, yet has not taken a leading role in the military efforts to clear the passage. By stating "let Japan do it," the President framed the issue as one of logical economic self-interest, suggesting that the primary beneficiaries of the oil flow should be the ones ensuring its safe transit rather than relying on the American or Israeli navies.