China’s icy silence on Trump’s Strait of Hormuz plea exposes a terrifying truth about his global standing
No response is a response.
China has remained completely silent on President Donald Trump’s recent request for help reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. This lack of response comes as the president has been actively seeking international military support to secure the vital waterway.
According to The Hill, the Strait of Hormuz is incredibly important for global energy, with roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply typically flowing through it. Its current closure has unfortunately triggered a massive surge in oil and gas prices, hitting consumers right in their wallets.
Trump has been really pushing for other countries to contribute military support to open the Strait. While on Air Force One on Sunday, he told reporters his administration had been in discussions with “about seven” countries over the weekend. He didn’t name all the nations contacted, but he did mention reaching out to both China and the United Kingdom.
Trump didn’t pull any punches when discussing his expectations
“I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory,” President Trump stated. He added that the Strait is “the place from which they get their energy. And they should come and they should help us protect it.”
This sentiment was echoed in a Truth Social post on Saturday, where President Trump claimed the US had already defeated Iran “militarily, economically, and in every other way.” He urged nations that rely on the Strait for oil to “take care of that passage,” promising, “we will help — A LOT!”
Despite the president’s direct appeals, a Chinese government spokesperson offered no direct comment when asked about the request during a daily briefing. Instead, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian simply reiterated the country’s desire for the conflict to end. Lin Jian also pointed to the significant economic effects of the Strait’s closure, which is certainly a valid concern for everyone involved.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, nearly 70% of the crude oil that moved through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024 was destined for China, India, Japan, and South Korea. This makes China’s refusal to even acknowledge the request particularly noteworthy. It isn’t just China staying quiet either.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius didn’t hold back his thoughts on Monday when responding to Trump’s plea. Pistorius openly questioned the effectiveness of European forces compared to the U.S. Navy. “What does Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US Navy cannot do?” Pistorius asked, adding pointedly, “This is not our war, we have not started it.”
The White House, when asked for comment, simply referred to remarks Trump made on Monday. Speaking to reporters in the White House East Room, the president again encouraged other nations to get involved. “We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us, and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm,” he said.
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