Trump urges allies to join Hormuz escorts; Korea among major importers.

President Donald Trump again called on allied nations to participate in naval escort missions through the Strait of Hormuz, urging broader involvement in what he framed as a U.S.-led effort to safeguard global energy shipments.

In remarks at the White House, ahead of a lunch with the Trump-Kennedy Center board, Trump noted that the United States imports only a small share of its oil through Hormuz, while other countries rely far more heavily on the chokepoint. He cited Japan at about 95 percent, China at around 90 percent, and Korea in the mid-30s, with several European nations also importing sizable amounts via Hormuz.

The president did not single out any one country by name, but he stated that the United States has protected its allies from external threats and suggested many have not demonstrated the same level of willingness to contribute to the security mission. He framed the decision as a test of those allies’ commitment to shared security.

Trump also emphasized the scale of U.S. military presence abroad, noting that tens of thousands of American troops are stationed in the region. He pointed to about 45,000 U.S. service members as part of his broader point. By contrast, he has previously referred to roughly 50,000 U.S. troops in Japan and more than 40,000 in South Korea, though official figures for South Korea run lower, at about 28,500.

The exchange comes as Iran has pressed its advantage in the energy corridor by asserting pressure on supply lines through Hormuz, underscoring why the strait remains a focal point of international security and diplomacy. Washington has repeatedly framed Hormuz as a shared responsibility among partners to preserve open and secure maritime routes.

For U.S. readers, the episode highlights enduring questions about burden-sharing among alliance partners, especially in Asia and Europe, and how the United States uses its security commitments to shape defense and foreign policy. It also intersects with global energy markets, supply-chain resilience, and the cost of security guarantees that underpin international trade.

Beyond Korea, the discussion touches on how allied choices affect the United States’ strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic region. Washington’s ability to mobilize coalition naval power in key chokepoints could influence future defense budgets, regional stability, and the reliability of energy and commodity flows essential to markets worldwide.