Trump: Some countries ‘very enthusiastic’ about helping secure Hormuz ‘and some aren’t’

US President Donald Trump acknowledges that some countries aren’t enthusiastic about joining his initiative to secure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Numerous countries have told me they’re on the way. Some are very enthusiastic about it… and some aren’t,” Trump says in remarks at a White House event.

He claims skeptics include countries that the US has helped for many years, adding that securing the Strait of Hormuz will be more beneficial to other countries than Washington because the latter doesn’t use the channel for the import of its oil.

“The level of enthusiasm matters to me,” Trump says.

“We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly, with great enthusiasm,” he adds.

Trump says one or two countries will likely decline to join his initiative.

“We don’t need anybody. We’re the strongest nation in the world… I’m almost doing [this initiative]… because I want to find out how [countries will] react. I’ve been saying for years that if we ever did need them, they won’t be there.”