Trump proposes 20% cargo charge for Hormuz Strait security

US President Donald Trump has proposed imposing a 20% charge on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz as part of a new US-led maritime security initiative for one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.

In a statement published on Truth Social, Trump declared that the Strait of Hormuz “is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran,” following heightened tensions in the Middle East and recent threats to commercial shipping.

Trump said the United States would reinstate what he called the “Iranian blockade,” stating that it would only restrict Iranian vessels or customers, while ships from all other countries would continue to have unrestricted access through the strait.

As part of the proposal, Trump said the US would become “The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait” and would be reimbursed for providing security by charging 20% on all cargo shipped through the waterway.

“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of fairness, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security,” Trump wrote.

He added that work on implementing the proposed security framework and cargo charge would begin immediately.

The proposal comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of escalating geopolitical tensions, with the waterway continuing to play a critical role in global container, oil and LNG trade. It remains unclear how such a charge would be implemented or whether it would receive international support.