‘Let them do it’: Trump says China, Japan and South Korea should be involved in reopening Hormuz

By AP 2 April 2026, 3:53 am

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US President Donald Trump says China, Japan and South Korea should also be involved in opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has previously directed much of his anger at NATO allies for their reluctance to get involved in securing the Strait of Hormuz until the US and Israel finish prosecuting their war against Iran.

But in his remarks at the private Easter lunch he hosts at the White House, Trump also expresses frustration with some Asian countries that are more reliant on Gulf oil than the US.

“Let South Korea, you know, we only have 45,000 soldiers in harm’s way over there, right next to a nuclear force — let South Korea do it,” Trump says. “Let Japan do it. They get 90% of their oil from the strait. Let China do it.”