Trump Backtracks On Plan To Toll Hormuz Ships
Donald Trump has reversed his decision to impose a 20% reimbursement fee on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after consulting with Middle Eastern leaders. Instead, the administration will pursue trade and investment deals with Gulf states while maintaining a blockade on Iranian-linked cargo.
Why it matters
The reversal highlights the volatility of US foreign policy in the Middle East and the influence of regional allies on American economic and military strategy.
Trump said Middle Eastern leaders persuaded him to reduce the toll just a day after he announced it — and added that he was against charging any fees for the key waterway.
“Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
He said he would continue with a “FULL Blockade” on ships coming to and from Iranian ports, set to restart at 2000 GMT Tuesday, or ships carrying anything have to do with Iranian cargo.
Tehran largely closed the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a key global waterway for oil and gas, after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
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