Trump abandons plan to impose 20% fee on Hormuz cargo

Former President Donald Trump rescinded a pledge made just a day earlier to impose fees on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of global oil shipments pass. The abrupt reversal came after senior administration officials warned that the proposed charge could disrupt international trade, provoke retaliatory measures from Tehran, and complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at de‑escalating tensions in the region.

The United States continues its broader campaign to diminish Iran’s strategic leverage over the waterway, deploying additional naval assets, conducting joint exercises with regional partners, and tightening enforcement of existing sanctions against Iranian shipping entities. While the fee proposal has been shelved, policymakers say the focus remains on maintaining open, secure navigation and pressuring Tehran to comply with international maritime norms.