Trump says it would be an “honor” to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but the country he says he’s helping most is raising eyebrows

President Donald Trump recently said it would be an “honor” for the United States to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open, particularly to help countries like China that rely heavily on the waterway for energy shipments. The comment drew attention as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

As reported by Fox News, Trump made the remarks Monday while speaking with reporters in Florida. He was asked about the strategic waterway amid ongoing clashes involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The Strait of Hormuz has seen repeated disruptions during the conflict. This comes with reports of Iran seizing oil tankers and issuing threats in the area ahead of planned talks with the United States.

Trump’s comments about China are raising questions

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. At its narrowest point it is about 21 miles wide between Iran and Oman, and roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass through it each day, along with about one fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas. Attention on the region also comes amid Canada’s Iran stance.

Trump emphasized that U.S. efforts to keep the waterway open would help multiple countries, but he singled out China in particular. “We’re really helping China here and other countries because they get a lot of their energy from the Straits,” he said.

He added, “We have a good relationship with China. It’s my honor to do it,” while stressing that global energy flows depend heavily on the route.

The timing of the remarks is notable because Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month. He reiterated that China receives significant oil shipments through the strait while also promoting the United States’ new energy partnership with Venezuela.

Trump also highlighted his relationship with Xi, saying the two countries maintain a strong connection and that he plans to visit China soon. He framed U.S. military activity in the region as protecting global stability and preventing attacks on shipping. The comments also arrived during a midterms ultimatum in Washington.

Beyond the military presence, the administration has also taken economic steps tied to the conflict. Trump announced the United States would waive certain oil related sanctions on some countries to help ease pressure on global energy markets.

The move is intended to reduce energy prices and stabilize supply as tensions in the Middle East continue to affect shipping through one of the world’s most critical waterways.