Trump presses allies on Hormuz mission: "We protected you for 40 years, so why won't you help?"

【The Financial News, New York City – Lee Byung-chul, correspondent】 President Donald John Trump of the United States of America (USA) publicly voiced frustration as he urged allied nations to join a mission to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. After some allies refused requests for military support, he even suggested that he wanted to test their attitude toward the alliance.
Donald Trump said at a press conference on the 16th (local time) at The White House, held before a luncheon with the Trump-Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, "We have been protecting you for 40 years, and now you are saying you don't want to get involved in something this minor?" He argued that Europe and Japan depend far more than the USA on crude oil from the Persian Gulf, and stressed that allies must play a greater role.
He went on, "Japan gets 95% and China 90% (of their oil) from the Strait of Hormuz, and many European countries also import a substantial amount. South Korea brings in about 35%." He added, "So we want these countries to step up and help resolve the issues in the strait."
Donald Trump also claimed that allies had already signaled their participation. "Several countries have told me they are already on their way to take part," he said. When asked to name specific countries, he replied, "I don't want to say yet, but we will announce it soon."
He expressed strong dissatisfaction with some countries that have been lukewarm toward the request for military support. "I have long believed that when we need help, they will not be there for us," he said.
Donald Trump also underscored the strength of the USA military. "We don't need anybody. We are the strongest country in the world," he said. "Sometimes we make these requests not because we need them, but to see how they will respond."
However, the reaction from allies has been cool. Germany refused to join, saying, "This is not our war." Japan, Italy, and Australia also stated that they would not take part in the Strait of Hormuz mission. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) likewise took a cautious stance, saying it would not allow itself to be "drawn into a larger war."

pride@fnnews.com Reporter Lee Byung-chul Reporter