U.S. Likely to Push for 'Hormuz Coalition'...Trump Pressures China and NATO to Join

Trump Increases Public Pressure via Social Media
Mentions Possible Summit Delay to China
Steps Up Demands on NATO Allies

As the United States pushes for the formation of a multinational coalition to protect the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump has specifically called on China to "participate," putting pressure on Beijing. He also emphasized cooperation by warning that the schedule for the U.S.-China summit could be postponed. President Trump increased pressure on NATO as well, saying, "The United States helped in the Ukraine war." Major countries, including South Korea, have shown lukewarm responses to President Trump's request to dispatch military forces, to which he responded immediately.

US President Donald Trump is speaking to reporters on his private plane, Air Force One, on the 15th (local time). Photo by AP News Agency

In an interview with the Financial Times (FT) released on the 15th (local time), President Trump pressured China to participate in the operation to escort ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that 90% of China's oil is imported via the Strait.

Regarding the U.S.-China summit scheduled to be held in Beijing in just about two weeks, he remarked that "two weeks is a long time," suggesting that the schedule could be postponed depending on China's response. His remarks are interpreted as pressure for China to respond to the request for participation in escort operations before the summit, which is scheduled from March 31 to April 2 in Beijing. Ahead of the summit, U.S. and Chinese officials are holding high-level ministerial talks to address key issues such as expanding agricultural purchases and securing critical minerals.

On his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump also elaborated on his recent call for five countries (South Korea, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France) to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized, "It is appropriate for the beneficiaries of the Strait of Hormuz to help ensure that nothing bad happens there."

He then mentioned NATO, stating, "If there is no response or a negative reaction, it will also be very bad for NATO's future." He added, "We did not have to help them on the Ukraine issue, but we did." The FT further explained that President Trump has expressed the view that allies should send more minesweepers and other vessels.

As the five countries addressed with public pressure messages showed lukewarm responses to dispatching warships, it appears President Trump has again increased the pressure. This is the first time since the start of the war with Iran on February 28, together with Israel, that President Trump has explicitly called for third-country intervention.

China has not issued an official response to President Trump's request to dispatch warships. However, it has urged stability in the Middle East. The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., in response to CNN, did not directly address President Trump's request but stated, "China calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities."

An oil tanker waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in Iraqi territorial waters on the 12th (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

France, the United Kingdom, and other NATO allies have also not provided a definitive response. French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned the possibility of escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but the French Foreign Ministry stated that French naval vessels would maintain a defensive posture in the eastern Mediterranean. Ed Miliband, the UK's Secretary of State for Energy Security, also stressed the need to ensure the safety of the Strait but maintained a cautious stance, saying that concrete military contributions were still under review.

Japan, a U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific region, is also facing a difficult decision. Japan is scheduled to hold a U.S.-Japan summit between President Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Washington, D.C., on the 19th. Some observers have speculated that this issue may be discussed as one of the agenda items at the summit. As it remains unclear whether U.S. military action is within the framework of international law, the Japanese government is reportedly facing difficulties in applying its security-related laws.

In the case of South Korea, the presidential office stated, "We will carefully review and make a decision on the relevant situation while communicating closely with the United States." The Blue House also stated that the safety of international maritime routes and freedom of navigation are subjects protected under international law.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing officials from the Trump administration, that the U.S. government plans to announce this week its push to form a coalition to protect the Strait of Hormuz. However, the timing of the operation has not been determined. It is also possible that the operation will proceed flexibly depending on the battlefield situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.