Trump Withdraws Hormuz Fee Plan, Says Gulf Nations to Make Major Investments in U.S.

(Central News Agency reporter Hou Zhiying, Washington, 14th) Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he would impose a 20% fee on all goods passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but today reversed that decision, stating it would be replaced by trade agreements with Persian Gulf allies. Trump said he received calls from Gulf leaders expressing their desire to make massive investments in the United States instead of paying fees, and he expressed satisfaction with this outcome.

Trump stated yesterday that the U.S. would become the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz, launch strong military actions against Iran, secure the strait, and potentially take direct control, imposing a 20% compensation fee for security operations on all passing cargo. The U.S. military also announced the resumption of a maritime blockade against Iran starting today.

However, earlier today, Trump posted on his social media platform 'Truth Social' that he had decided to replace the 20% 'U.S. compensation fee' with trade and investment agreements that Gulf countries would make with the United States. He added that the U.S. would continue its 'full blockade,' but only on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports or carrying goods related to Iran.

Later at the White House, when asked by reporters about the reason for the policy reversal, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is 'not important' to the U.S., but is crucial to its Gulf allies. After proposing the fee yesterday, he received calls from leaders of various countries who expressed their willingness to make massive investments in the U.S. instead of paying the fee.

He said Gulf nations will invest substantial funds in the U.S., adding, 'I'm very satisfied with this. I think this is much better.'

Trump noted he had spoken with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, all of which were willing to make large-scale investments in the U.S.

This means no fees need to be collected, and he stated he never liked the concept of 'charging fees,' but emphasized, 'At the same time, we are guarding this strait for the entire world, for China and all other countries — and that's not fair to us.'

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, foreign media reported that Trump formally notified the U.S. Congress yesterday that he had resumed military operations against Iran on July 7. In the letter, Trump stated that the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran on June 17 aimed at ending the Middle East war, but accused Iran of attacking commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, violating the agreement, and therefore ordered the U.S. military to resume military strikes against Iran.

Prior to the outbreak of the Middle East war, one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas passed through the Strait of Hormuz. (Editor: Hong Qi-yuan) 1150715

Stand with the facts. Your support is the power that protects press freedom.

Download the Central News Agency's 'First-Hand News' app to instantly access the latest updates.

Text, images, and video on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.