White House Softens Trump Proposal for Hormuz Shipping Tolls Amid Critical Two Week Regional Ceasefire

Karoline Leavitt confirms the US priority is reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls while acknowledging China’s role in the two-week ceasefire deal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 3:46 PM EDT

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

Washington Pivots from Maritime Transit Fees

The White House has signaled a strategic adjustment regarding potential levies on international shipping, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicating that the imposition of tolls is not an immediate objective. While President Donald Trump had previously expressed interest in charging for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the administration is now prioritizing a return to normal maritime operations. According to Leavitt, the primary goal remains the total reopening of the waterway without any limitations or financial barriers that could further complicate global trade routes.

Beijing’s Role in Middle East De-escalation

The administration officially acknowledged that the recently established two week ceasefire was the result of significant diplomatic coordination with the Chinese government. Leavitt confirmed that high level discussions took place between Washington and Beijing to facilitate the pause in hostilities, noting the President’s respect for the working relationship with President Xi Jinping. This collaborative effort comes just ahead of a planned presidential visit to China, highlighting a rare moment of direct cooperation on regional security matters between the two superpowers.

The Status of Iranian Nuclear Stockpiles

Questions regarding the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capabilities have moved to the center of the upcoming round of diplomatic discussions. The White House asserted that Tehran has indicated a willingness to surrender its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, a move the President previously described as a physical removal of the material. According to Leavitt, securing these stockpiles remains at the top of the priority list for the American negotiating team as they prepare for the next phase of talks aimed at permanent regional stabilization.