Donald Trump ‘very surprised’ Australia declined to send troops to strait of Hormuz amid fuel crisis | Donald Trump
Donald Trump says he is “very surprised” that Australia has not sent warships to help open the Strait of Hormuz, as the blockade of the key strategic route for global oil supplies continues to affect fuel prices.
“I was very surprised,” the US president said in Washington on Friday when asked what he was contesting regarding Japan, South Korea and Australia.
“Well, they should get involved, and I was a little surprised they said no, because we always say yes to them,” he told Sky News Australia.
Trump did not respond when asked what Australia said no to.
Earlier this week, Trump criticized Japan, Australia and South Korea for saying they would not send warships to the Gulf.
“The United States has been told by most of our NATO ‘allies’ that they do not want to get involved in our military operation against the Iranian terrorist regime in the Middle East,” he said in a Truth Social article.
“We no longer need or want help from NATO countries – WE NEVER HAVE! Likewise, Japan, Australia or South Korea.”
Also Friday, the president lashed out at NATO, calling alliance members “cowards” for not wanting to “help open” the Strait of Hormuz.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong discussed Iran’s deliberate attacks on merchant ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz and how these actions have triggered serious global energy shocks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday.
“We agreed that the international community must continue to work together to ensure that critical waterways are not held hostage by the Iranian regime,” she said in a statement after the call. “Australia does not want to see the conflict continue to escalate.”
Globally important shipping lanes between Oman and Iran were closed shortly after the latest Middle East conflict began three weeks ago, sending shockwaves through fuel markets.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that the conflict, sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, poses the “greatest threat to global energy supplies in world history”.
Customers across Australia are seeing the effects, with prices rising at fuel stations, including a regional fuel retailer in New South Wales this week charging $3.39 per liter for unleaded petrol and diesel and, in Sydney, reports of diesel prices above $3 per liter.
On Saturday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s urgent interim approval of fuel supply, which allows businesses to discuss, exchange information and coordinate the supply of fuel across Australia, as “decisive action to… keep fuel flowing to where it is needed most”.
The authorization does not allow fuel suppliers to share price information, the ACCC said in a statement on Friday.
“It’s really important that the big players in the fuels market don’t see this as an opportunity to disadvantage independents who play a vital role, including in regional Australia,” Chalmers said, adding that “anyone breaking the rules should face sanctions.”
To counter escalating costs, DoorDash announced a temporary fuel relief program Saturday, recognizing the “significant challenge” rising fuel costs pose to its drivers.
Cash assistance will be given to drivers who make 100km or more deliveries per week, the costs of which will not be passed on to customers.
On Friday, Uber announced it would raise prices to strike “the right balance between supporting strong revenue opportunities for driver partners while continuing to provide reliable and affordable options for riders.”
The ride-hailing company said the hike would increase drivers’ earnings by 6 per cent on average across Australia.
“We know that operating costs, including fuel, remain a priority for many driver partners, making continued support more important than ever,” the company said in a statement.
Its competitor, DiDi, increased its prices earlier this week, with customers across Australia now paying an extra 5c per kilometre.
In a report released Friday, the IEA said resuming transit through the Strait of Hormuz was “the most important action to return to stable oil and gas flows” and encouraged governments, businesses and households to avoid unnecessary air travel, work from home and reduce speed limits on roads to protect against oil shocks.
