Donald Trump has escalated pressure on European allies to assist in protecting the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Nato's future could be dire if they fail to respond. The waterway's closure by Tehran, in retaliation for US-Israeli airstrikes, has caused severe global energy disruptions and record oil price spikes.
Trump called for allies to deploy ships to secure commercial shipping, but countries including Australia, France, Japan and the UK have declined. In an interview with the Financial Times, the US president said it was 'only appropriate' for beneficiaries to help, and a negative response would be 'very bad' for Nato.
Separately, Trump has asserted he has the 'absolute right' to impose new tariffs after the US Supreme Court ruled many of his previous import duties illegal. The court found a 1977 emergency law did not justify the tariffs, but Trump claimed on social media that he could levy tariffs in another form, a contention not supported by the ruling.
