European leaders reject Trump's call to open the Strait of Hormuz

Trump expressed dissatisfaction with allies for failing to provide military assistance, but European leaders are unwilling to join a conflict he initiated without consultation.

Summary

European leaders are resisting U.S. President Trump’s call to send warships to open the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial chokepoint for global oil supply, and Europe wishes to distance itself from the war that the U.S. and Israel are waging against Iran.

There are no signs of easing in hostilities, and Trump has found that America’s allies are reluctant to join a conflict he ignited without consultation and which is extremely unpopular domestically in European countries.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Monday:

“While taking necessary actions to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into a wider war.”

This crisis, which has spread across the Middle East, is rapidly becoming a new flashpoint in the already fragile transatlantic relationship. Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping through the strait using mines and drones have effectively stalled oil transportation.

Washington’s allies in Europe are bearing the economic impact of war: not only are global oil prices skyrocketing, but natural gas prices have also surged, while the U.S., the world’s largest natural gas producer, has not faced this predicament. The surge in energy costs is impacting Europe’s economic growth and inflation far more seriously than in the U.S.

Europe Clearly Rejects Troop Deployment

Europe’s resistance, though not as explosive as the uproar caused when Trump attempted to purchase Greenland, again highlights European disappointment and concern regarding the White House’s unchecked global ambitions.

On Monday, Trump complained at the White House that despite the U.S. providing security guarantees to Europe for a long time, European leaders have ignored America’s requests.

“You have to remember, we have 45,000 troops in Japan, 45,000 in South Korea, and 45,000 to 50,000 in Germany,” Trump said. “We are defending all these countries, and then I ask: ‘Do you have mine sweepers?’ and they say: ‘Can we not get involved?’”

Trump specifically pointed out the UK, saying it was once regarded as the “Rolls Royce of allies,” but now it is particularly disappointing. He stated that he had requested assistance including mine sweepers from Starmer, but was told that discussions were needed.

“You are the prime minister; you can make the decision,” Trump said. “This is very disappointing.”

The calm and cautious response from European countries to Trump’s call for cooperation reflects typical strategic divergences in the region: The UK and France, more accustomed to projecting global influence, appear slightly more willing to take on additional risks.

Starmer and French President Macron both indicated they are discussing plans with allies to help ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. However, other countries have directly rejected any involvement that could make them targets for Iranian strikes, even as their economies, businesses, and citizens suffer losses due to soaring energy prices caused by Iran’s blockade of the strait.

“This is not Europe’s war”

“We are seeing real signs of a transatlantic trust breakdown,” said Nathalie Tocci, director of the Roma Center for International Affairs. “Why should Europeans do this? This president has withdrawn from Ukraine, imposed tariffs on Europe, and threatened to annex a European country. Why should Europe come to the rescue?”

Several European officials have directly refused Trump’s requests to deploy troops or warships to the conflict.

“This is not Europe’s war.” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated after the EU’s 27 foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Monday evening.

Borrell said the EU is focusing on “diplomatic engagement.” “No one wants to be drawn into this war, and certainly everyone is concerned about the eventual outcome.”

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed the same position.

“This is not our war, we did not initiate it,” Pistorius told reporters on Monday, stating that Germany will not engage militarily. He also said, “Sending more warships to the region will probably not help” the EU’s sought-after diplomatic solution.

“What does Donald Trump expect… a few European frigates in the Strait of Hormuz to do what the powerful U.S. Navy cannot do?”

Italian Foreign Minister Tajani said in Brussels that Rome would enhance its naval operations already in the Red Sea to ensure safe navigation in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, but Italy will not change its mission mandate and will not go to the Strait of Hormuz to escort tankers.

At this moment, Italian Prime Minister Meloni is struggling to maintain a close relationship with Trump due to this prolonged and unpopular war in the Middle East. Tajani later told Italy’s La Stampa: “We cannot get involved in the war.”

Meloni stated on Monday evening that participating in actions in the Strait of Hormuz “means stepping towards entering the war,” and Italy is unwilling to take that step.

Domestic Political Positions and Balancing

European leaders are also adjusting their response strategies based on domestic public opinion. In France, Macron has stated on one hand that the war violates international law, while on the other he has also taken steps to send warships to the region and proposed assistance in mediating a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Macron has indicated that the French Navy can assist in forming a coalition to help ensure regional shipping lane security or escort tankers, but he stated earlier this month that this would wait until “the most intense phase of the conflict is over.”

The French Foreign Ministry stated on social media on Monday that the French aircraft carrier strike group remains in the Eastern Mediterranean: “The situation remains unchanged: maintaining a defensive posture.”

Trump Threatens NATO’s Future

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump warned that if European countries do not join the effort to open the strait, it will be “very detrimental to NATO’s future.”

He stated that Europe’s unwillingness to help confirms his view: the U.S. defends its allies, but allies do not help the U.S. In fact, the only time NATO has ever invoked its collective defense clause (Article 5) was to assist the U.S. after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

As Europe feels the pressure of rising oil prices, governments are urgently responding to the crisis and emphasizing the need to restore shipping through this vital route — crucial for oil, gas, and fertilizer transport. Iran has vowed to continue retaliating against U.S. and Israeli attacks and has stated that the Strait of Hormuz is only closed to Iran’s “enemies.”

One European official stated that if the conflict de-escalates, some countries would be willing to send vessels to assist in mine-sweeping and preventing the conflict from widening, but “when the war is ongoing, no one is willing to intervene.”

Asian Allies Also in a Dilemma

Trump’s call for countries to help ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz has also put America’s Asian allies, who heavily rely on Middle Eastern oil transport, in a difficult position.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishi Nobuo stated on Monday that Tokyo currently has no plans to send warships for escort.

Japan’s post-war constitution limits overseas military actions. Although Trump urged allies to provide mine sweepers, Kishi Nobuo had previously ruled out the possibility of sending the Self-Defense Forces to the conflict area for mine-sweeping before a ceasefire is declared.

Officials from the South Korean presidential office stated they are communicating with the U.S. regarding Trump’s remarks but declined to disclose whether a formal request was received. The South Korean side stated they are trying to clarify Trump’s “exact intentions.”

China Unlikely to Respond to the Call

Analysts and former diplomats have stated that Trump’s call for China to assist in ensuring security in the strait is unlikely to receive a response.

China’s energy supply is highly dependent on the Strait of Hormuz, but former diplomat and director of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs Wang Yiwei stated that China is unwilling to take actions that would push its friend Iran into opposition.

“Regarding the Strait of Hormuz request, China absolutely cannot join, because even the EU is not participating,” Wang Yiwei said.

He stated that China could influence Iran and the Middle East — which seems to be what Trump wants right now — and China might be willing to play that role, but U.S.-China relations need to improve.

“Trump wants to save face on the Iran issue, and China — not Russia or other countries — may be his only lifeline,” Wang Yiwei said. “China might indeed be willing to play this role, but only if (U.S.-China) mutual trust is rebuilt.”