Trump administration to levy toll on Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to charge transit fees for cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to the agenda. According to information from White House sources, Trump has long wanted to take this step, and serious work is being conducted on the matter.

If the transit fees are implemented, it would mark the first time such a comprehensive charging system has been introduced in international maritime trade. It is noted that the last historical precedent for such a situation was implemented by the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century.

It is known that Trump has been considering his ideas regarding the 20 percent transit fee he intends to impose on cargo ships for a long time. In April, Trump questioned why his administration should not take such a step, and in June, he threatened to initiate this charging system if an agreement was not reached with Iran within two months.

An official speaking about the matter at the White House drew attention to the situation, stating, “This is a decision he has wanted to implement for a long time. However, those around him have constantly tried to warn him and dissuade him from this. In the end, he has returned to the same point.”

Details regarding the operation of the new charging system remain uncertain. No statement has yet been made on how the U.S. would collect the transit fee or whether any discussions have been held with Gulf countries in the region on the matter. According to sources in the White House, work on the details of the plan is ongoing.

In a statement on his Truth Social account, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed that the planned 20 percent amount is “a reimbursement for the expenses incurred to ensure security and stability in the region.”

Trump’s statements have clashed with some high-level figures within his own administration. Vice President JD Vance’s recent remarks, in which he stated that no transit fees should be charged on international maritime routes, had drawn attention. Furthermore, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized in a joint statement released with the Gulf Cooperation Council that they are against any fee or control mechanism over the Strait of Hormuz.

It is expected that the roadmap the U.S. administration will follow on this issue and the reaction of the international community will become clear in the coming days.

News Source: 12punto