Trump Strongly Pushes "Escort Coalition": No Ships Sent, NATO's Future "Very Terrible"; Japan and Australia Have Already Refused

U.S.-led Hormuz Strait escort alliance faces initial resistance

According to Xinhua News Agency, the U.S. government plans to announce the formation of a so-called Hormuz Strait “escort alliance” soon. Trump has pressured seven allies dependent on Middle Eastern oil to join the proposed multinational escort coalition. Trump warned that if NATO allies do not take action to assist the U.S. in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, NATO will face a “very bad” future. Last Sunday, The Wall Street Journal quoted U.S. officials saying the White House plans to announce the establishment of a multilateral alliance as early as this week.

However, key allies have responded tepidly. Global Times reports that Japan and Australia have explicitly stated they have no plans to dispatch ships. the UK has no related deployments, and France has refused to send additional military forces. Germany will not participate in international military operations to protect commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump pressures: No deployment, NATO’s “future is worrying”

Over the weekend, Trump continued to speak out, urging allies to join the U.S.-led Hormuz Strait escort alliance.

On Saturday, he posted on Truth Social that “many countries, especially those affected by Iran’s attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships” to ensure the security of oil trade routes.

According to Xinhua, the U.S. government has contacted seven countries for support, but the White House has not publicly disclosed the specific list. Trump previously named China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK on social media.

On Sunday, Trump intensified pressure on Europe in an interview with the Financial Times, warning that if NATO members do not provide assistance, NATO will face a “very bad future.” He told reporters on Air Force One returning to Washington: “I ask these countries to protect their own territories because that’s their territory, that’s where they get their energy.”

Additionally, according to The Paper, on March 16, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian held a routine press conference. When asked by BBC whether Trump’s threat to cancel his visit to Beijing if China does not assist in escorting in the Strait of Hormuz was responded to?

Lin Jian said, “Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic leading role in China-U.S. relations, and both sides are maintaining communication regarding President Trump’s visit to China.”

Allies decline one after another, hindering alliance formation

Responses from allies to the Hormuz Strait escort alliance have been lukewarm.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida explicitly stated in Parliament that there are currently no plans to send escort ships to the Middle East. Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo also pointed out that, although technically feasible, it is not appropriate to send ships amid the current highly turbulent situation. Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman Koichi Hagiuda emphasized that Tokyo’s participation in military actions has a “very high” threshold.

As the world’s fifth-largest economy, Japan relies on Middle Eastern oil imports for 90%, with 70% passing through the Strait of Hormuz. To address potential supply disruptions, Japan began releasing about 15 days’ worth of private-sector-held oil reserves on Monday, the first time since the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. Subsequently, the country will release a month’s worth of national reserves.

Australia also explicitly refuses to send ships. Transport Minister Catherine King stated, “We will not send ships to the Strait of Hormuz.” Opposition defense spokesperson James Paterson suggested that an assessment is needed to determine whether such a move aligns with national interests and whether there are ships available to carry out the task.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on March 15 local time that Germany will not participate in international military operations to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK is considering deploying airborne mine clearance aircraft to help restore oil export channels, but officials are concerned that sending ships at U.S. request could escalate tensions. The South Korean presidential office said it will carefully study and decide. France emphasized that the current military posture aims to maintain stability rather than escalate conflicts.

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