Japan and Australia Decline Trump's Call for Joint Effort to Secure Strait of Hormuz

Washington D.C. — The United States' allies, Japan and Australia, have declined President Donald Trump's request for a joint effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Both nations clarified that they have no immediate plans to dispatch naval vessels there. Responding in Tokyo on Monday, the Japanese government, led by Sanae Takaichi, stated that there was no decision made to send military ships to the Middle East. Australia also indicated that it had not received such a request and would not be sending naval ships as part of the cooperation for now. Instability in the Middle East has increased as the war between the US and Israel enters its third week. This has also affected the global energy market. With the risk rising that the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world's energy supply passes, could be blocked, Trump stated that oil-dependent nations must ensure their own security. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, President Trump said that countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK should participate in securing the strait. According to him, the US has contacted seven countries on this matter, but their names have not been disclosed. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi stated that sending military ships abroad is sensitive due to her country's pacifist constitution. "We have not made any decision about sending ships. The study of what Japan can do within the legal framework is ongoing," she said in parliament. Australian Minister Catherine King, from the government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, also stated that there was no such request from the US and no plan to send ships for the time being. Meanwhile, Trump has also increased pressure on China. He signaled that he might postpone his visit if China does not cooperate in opening up the strait before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing at the end of this month. Foreign ministers of the European Union are also preparing to discuss strengthening the small naval mission in the Middle East on Monday. However, diplomatic sources indicated that a decision to directly expand security in the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely in the immediate future. In the meantime, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly discussed necessary steps to reopen the strait with Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. South Korea has indicated it will carefully review the US proposal.