President Donald Trump demanded more countries send reinforcements to secure the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping as oil prices stayed at $100 a barrel the Iran war reached its 17th day on Monday.
U.S. gas prices climbed higher over the weekend, with the national average price at $3.69, up more than 70 cents from three weeks ago, according to the American Automobile Association. Gas prices have surged since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28 and Iran closed the strait, a choke point for 20% of the world’s oil.
In an interview with The Financial Times, Trump said it would be “very bad” for the future of NATO if allies did not assist in keeping the vital trade route open. Trump called on China, which relies on the strait for much its oil supply, to help and threatened to “delay” a planned April summit in Beijing.
The European Union said it is weighing its options, including expanding its naval presence in the strait. Officials in Japan and Australia said their countries have no intention of sending ships.