United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump said he expects China to assist in ensuring security in the strategic Strait of Hormuz ahead of his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump said the visit, scheduled for the end of March, could be delayed, though he did not provide further details. He said he expects Beijing to play a role in helping unblock the Strait of Hormuz before the meeting, noting that China receives a large share of its oil shipments through the key maritime route. Trump claimed that China gets “90 percent of its oil” via the Strait, underscoring Beijing’s strong interest in keeping the waterway open. However, analysts note that China purchases roughly 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, but that supply accounts for only about 12 percent of China’s total oil imports. According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, around 40 percent of China’s oil imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping lanes.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump said his administration is discussing with several countries the possibility of helping “police” the strategic Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from Florida, Trump said the United States had approached about seven countries about forming a coalition to escort ships through the key maritime route. Trump said he had also raised the issue with China, noting that Beijing is heavily dependent on oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway. “I asked China, would you like to come in?” he said, adding that Washington would see what decision Beijing ultimately makes. The US president did not name the other countries involved in the discussions but mentioned NATO and said some nations should help protect areas critical to their energy supply. He said he told counterparts that the United States would “remember” if countries declined to assist in safeguarding the route. Trump also noted that several countries possess minesweepers and certain types of boats that could support efforts to secure shipping through the Strait, a vital global oil transit corridor.   With inputs from BBC