Trump says no one should charge fees for ships passing through Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (July 14) that no one should be allowed to charge fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, after he had earlier suggested the United States could impose a transit charge, British media writes.

“I don't think anybody should be able to charge a fee,” Trump made remarks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi.

The comments came a day after Trump proposed that the United States would charge a 20% transit fee for vessels using the strategic waterway, which is a key route for global energy shipments.

“I don't like the concept of a fee, but at the same time, it's not fair that we're protecting this Strait for the entire world,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, with a significant share of global oil and gas supplies passing through it. Trump said the United States has played a major role in ensuring the security of the route.

By Aghakazim Guliyev