Trump Abandons Hormuz Transit Fee, Proposes US Investment Deal
Donald Trump has reversed plans to impose tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for a proposal that would see Middle Eastern nations invest in the United States in exchange for maritime protection.
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed his recently announced plan to impose tolls on vessels transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, citing pressure from regional leaders. The reversal, reported within 24 hours of the initial proposal, signals a shift in Trump’s approach to Gulf security amid heightened tensions with Iran.
According to Vanguard News, Trump stated that leaders from Middle Eastern countries had successfully urged him to scale back the toll plan, ultimately leading him to oppose any fee on passage through the waterway. “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,” the report noted.
Instead of direct tolls, Trump has proposed an alternative arrangement under which Gulf nations would channel investments into the United States in return for American guarantees of safe maritime transit, Al Jazeera reported. “Regional countries will instead invest in US in return for transit protection,” the outlet stated, framing the pivot as part of a broader recalibration amid escalating rhetoric between the U.S. and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s seaborne oil passes, has long been a flashpoint in regional security. Any attempt to monetize or control access has drawn strong reactions, particularly from Iran, which has previously threatened to close the strait in response to perceived U.S. aggression. The swift reversal of the toll plan underscores the sensitivity of maritime policy in the region and the influence of diplomatic engagement among Gulf allies.