On Wednesday, President Donald Trump expressed frustration with South Korea for declining to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz, stating he would delegate its management to European and Asian nations.
During an Easter luncheon at the White House, Trump argued that the Strait of Hormuz blockade isn’t solely a U.S. concern, asserting, Let Europe handle it. Let South Korea deal with it.
Referencing U.S. forces in South Korea, Trump voiced his disappointment: But South Korea hasn’t been helpful. They’ve got 45,000 troops in a high-risk area, right next to a nuclear threat (North Korea).
This statement underscores Trump’s frustration that South Korea hasn’t complied with the alliance’s request for troop deployment to the Strait, despite U.S. efforts to defend South Korea against North Korean threats.
While the actual number of U.S. troops in South Korea is around 28,500, Trump has a history of inflating this figure.
Trump’s recent remarks continue his pattern of pressuring allied nations.
He added, Let Japan handle it. They get 90% of their oil from the Strait. Let China deal with it, emphasizing that countries should take responsibility based on their strategic interests.
Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly called out South Korea, Japan, China, and European nations on social media, urging them to dispatch warships to ensure stability in the Strait of Hormuz. However, he’s maintained a cautious stance due to questions about the conflict’s justification, domestic controversies, and concerns over potential escalation.