Washington, March 17 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with countries reliant on energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, stating they should be providing support to the United States. He emphasized that it was disappointing that many allies were hesitant to assist.

“They should not only be thanking us, but they should be helping us,” Trump stated, referring to nations that heavily depend on oil and energy transport through this crucial maritime route.

He highlighted major economies such as China, Japan, and South Korea as key beneficiaries of the secure transit through the Hormuz Strait. “For instance, China should be expressing gratitude,” he noted. “Japan imports 95 percent, and China 91 percent of their oil. South Korea also relies significantly on these waterways for their energy needs.”

Trump remarked that it was “much easier to engage with allies today than it was two weeks ago,” suggesting that some nations only showed willingness after the United States had taken definitive military steps.

“Some nations have greatly disappointed me,” he indicated. “A couple have been excellent. I will identify those outstanding nations at the appropriate time.”

Trump specifically mentioned Britain, recalling his conversation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he requested naval assistance. “It would be beneficial if you could send a few ships over, and if you have any minesweepers, that would also be extremely helpful,” he stated.

He described the response from Starmer as cautious. “The Prime Minister is a nice individual, but he responded, well, I need to consult my team,” said Trump. “I told him, you don’t need to consult anyone; as Prime Minister, you can make a decision.”

Trump conveyed that the proposal for support arrived too late. “I don’t want their assistance post-victory; I need it before we engage. I have no use for your aircraft carriers once we’ve already prevailed.”

He reiterated concerns regarding burden-sharing within alliances. “I’ve always maintained that the challenge with NATO is we are always ready to assist them, but they seldom reciprocate,” he stated.

Trump argued that the United States has been shouldering the majority of the responsibility while others have hesitated. “We provide defense for these nations, and then they question, do you have any minesweepers? And they reply, well, can we avoid involvement?”

However, he acknowledged that some countries have been eager to back the US stance. “There have been those who were very enthusiastic to assist,” he mentioned.

He also raised alarms about shipping threats in the area, even as he indicated that there was no confirmed presence of mines. “We have no evidence that mines have been deployed,” he stated, but expressed that “the mere thought of it unsettles those operating billion-dollar vessels.”