Trump Warns NATO of ‘Very Bad’ Future If Allies Fail To Help Open Up Hormuz Strait

United States President Donald Trump has issued a blunt ultimatum to NATO allies, declaring that the military alliance risks a “very bad” future if its members fail to join efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint now effectively sealed by Iran amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Financial Times published on Sunday, Trump made it clear that countries benefiting from the vital waterway must step up or face consequences. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” the US leader told the newspaper.

The warning comes barely two weeks after Iranian forces declared the narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea “closed” in retaliation for joint US and Israeli airstrikes that began on February 28, 2026. Shipping traffic has since ground to a halt, with tankers avoiding the route due to Iranian threats of attacks, mines and missile strikes. Analysts say roughly 20-27 per cent of global seaborne oil trade and 20 per cent of liquefied natural gas normally pass through the strait, a lifeline for energy markets worldwide.

Trump specifically pressed NATO members, including the UK, France, Japan and South Korea, to commit naval forces to escort ships and reopen the route. He reminded allies of America’s past support in Ukraine, stating the US expects reciprocity now. Failure to act, he warned, would spell doom for the alliance’s future.

The American president also turned the heat on China, which relies on the strait for nearly 90 per cent of its oil imports. Trump revealed he could delay his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for later this month unless Beijing helps unblock the waterway. “We may delay,” he said, adding that Washington wants clarity on China’s position before any high-level talks proceed.

For Nigeria, the crisis could not have come at a worse time. Already battling chronic fuel shortages, underinvestment in refineries and weak power infrastructure, the country is feeling the pinch as global crude prices have surged past $100 per barrel, with some reports hitting $120 briefly. While higher prices may temporarily boost Nigeria’s crude export earnings as an OPEC member, the ripple effects are painful: imported refined petroleum products are becoming costlier, worsening the energy crisis gripping homes and businesses across the federation.

Fertiliser imports, heavily dependent on Gulf routes, are also disrupted, raising fears of higher food prices and lower agricultural yields in a country already struggling with inflation and food insecurity.

As NaijaChoice News gathers, the Trump administration is pushing for a naval coalition to escort tankers, even offering political risk insurance to maritime trade. European and Asian allies have so far shown little commitment, with France reportedly rejecting the call outright.

The situation remains fluid, with oil markets jittery and global supply chains under strain. Analysts warn that a prolonged closure could push prices even higher, testing emergency reserves and forcing painful adjustments in oil-dependent economies like Nigeria’s.

President Trump’s remarks underscore his “America First” approach: the US will not shoulder the burden alone in protecting a passage that serves the world. Whether NATO and China will heed the call could determine not only the future of the strait but the stability of global energy flows and, closer home, the price of fuel at Nigerian pumps.