Trending Now - Trump Postpones China Visit as Global Tensions Escalate

WHO:

President Donald Trump stated, "I was not happy with the U.K. I think they'll be involved, but they should be involved enthusiastically."

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that Britain is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but will not be drawn into a wider war.

President Donald Trump stated, "I have to be here, I feel," regarding his decision to delay the trip to China.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any delay of Trump's trip would not be due to disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump stated he has asked "roughly a half-dozen other countries" to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

Lin Jian, spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, commented on the communication regarding Trump's visit to China.

President Donald Trump stated he has spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron about escorting tankers.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that Britain is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive to U.S. diplomats.

Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins reported on troop casualties.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented on the potential delay of Trump's trip to China.

President Donald Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

French President Emmanuel Macron

EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas

Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins

WHAT:

Trump mentioned that "some are less than enthusiastic" regarding countries joining the coalition to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated that the U.S. has spent $12 billion on the war as of March 16th, 2026.

The average gas price for a gallon of regular has risen to $3.72, according to AAA, up from $2.93 a month ago.

Trump indicated that the war could last until September, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Trump indicated that he has asked "roughly a half-dozen other countries" to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but so far, none have committed.

Trump mentioned that "some are very enthusiastic, and some are less than enthusiastic" regarding countries joining the coalition to escort oil tankers.

The average gas price for a gallon of regular has risen to $3.72, according to AAA, up from $2.93 a month ago.

Trump stated, "I don't believe it will be long," when asked about the duration of the war.

Trump indicated that he has requested to delay his trip to China by "a month or so" due to the ongoing war with Iran.

Trump mentioned that he would use his trip to China to pressure Beijing to help with a new coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated, "We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours ... we want them to come and help us with the strait."

Trump expressed frustration that some countries are "less than enthusiastic" about joining the coalition to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump mentioned that "some will not do it" regarding countries joining the coalition.

Trump stated, "I think we have one or two that will not do it that we've been protecting for about 40 years at tens of billions of dollars."

Starmer said, "Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to restore stability in the market — that is not a simple task."

Rubio's cable instructs U.S. diplomats to advocate for collective action against Iran and its proxies by March 20th, 2026.

The U.S. has spent $12 billion on the war as of March 16th, 2026.

Trump stated that "some are very enthusiastic, and some are less than enthusiastic" regarding countries joining the coalition to escort oil tankers.

Trump indicated that the war could last until September, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

13 U.S. troops have been killed, and 200 troops have been injured, including 10 seriously, as reported by Capt. Tim Hawkins.

Trump stated that "some are very enthusiastic, and some are less than enthusiastic" regarding countries joining the coalition to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump mentioned that the U.K. has been reluctant to send two aircraft carriers to the region at U.S. request, stating, "He didn't really want to do it."

The average gas price for a gallon of regular has risen to $3.72, according to AAA, up from $2.93 a month ago.

Trump indicated that the war could last until September, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Iran's Health Ministry reported that 1,444 people have been killed and over 18,500 injured since February 28th, 2026.

Trump said, "I don't believe it will be long," when asked about the duration of the war.

Trump requested to delay his trip to China by "a month or so" due to the ongoing war with Iran.

The war with Iran has been ongoing for three weeks as of March 16th, 2026.

Trump stated he has asked roughly a half-dozen countries to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The price of gas has risen to $3.72 per gallon, up from $2.93 a month ago.

13 U.S. troops have been killed, and 200 troops have been injured, including 10 seriously.

Trump indicated that the U.S. has spent $12 billion on the war up to this point.

The U.S. dropped $5.6 billion worth of munitions on Iran in the first two days of the war.

Oil prices have surged about 40% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28th, 2026.

WHERE:

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway through which one-fifth of the world’s traded oil flows.

The U.K. is working on a plan with allies to restore freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf.

Strait of Hormuz

Washington, D.C.

Beijing, China

London, United Kingdom

Paris, France

Iran

WHEN:

Trump made his comments about the coalition and frustrations on March 16th, 2026.

The war with Iran began on February 28th, 2026.

Trump made his comments about the coalition and the delay of his trip on March 16th, 2026.

The war with Iran began on February 28th, 2026.

Trump made his comments about the coalition and the delay of his trip on March 16th, 2026.

Trump made his comments about the coalition and frustrations on March 16th, 2026.

Rubio's directive was issued on March 16th, 2026.

The deadline for U.S. diplomats to deliver messages is March 20th, 2026.

Trump made his comments about the war's potential duration on March 16th, 2026.

Trump made his request to delay the trip on March 16th, 2026.

The war with Iran began on February 28th, 2026.

Rubio's directive to U.S. diplomats was issued on March 16th, 2026.

The deadline for U.S. diplomats to deliver messages is March 20th, 2026.

WHY:

Trump stated, "We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours ... we want them to come and help us with the strait."

Trump believes that countries whose economies depend on the Strait of Hormuz should assist in securing it, stating, "They should come, and they should help us protect it."

Trump believes that countries whose economies depend on the Strait of Hormuz should assist in securing it, stating, "We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours ... we want them to come and help us with the strait."

Trump believes that countries whose economies depend on the Strait of Hormuz should assist in securing it.

Trump wants to be present in the U.S. due to the ongoing war with Iran.

The war has caused significant economic and geopolitical consequences, including rising oil prices.

Trump believes that countries whose economies depend on the Strait of Hormuz should assist in securing it.

HOW:

Trump is pressuring allies to send military forces to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, indicating he has asked about seven countries to participate in a coalition.

Trump is pressuring allies to send military forces to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. is attempting to build a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Rubio's cable instructs U.S. diplomats to advocate for collective action against Iran and its proxies.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:08 UTC)

On March 16, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the U.K.'s level of enthusiasm for joining a coalition to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that some nations are less than eager to participate. Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain is collaborating with allies to devise a plan for reopening the strait, while ensuring they won't be dragged into a broader conflict. As the war with Iran continues, which began on February 28, gas prices have surged to an average of $3.72 per gallon, up from $2.93 just a month ago, and Trump noted that the U.S. has already spent $12 billion on the conflict.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 13:22 UTC)

On March 16, Trump announced that he is delaying his trip to China, stating, "I have to be here, I feel," while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that this delay is not related to disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has reached out to about six countries to send warships to help reopen the Strait, but so far, none have committed, although he noted that some nations are enthusiastic about joining the coalition to escort oil tankers. Meanwhile, the average gas price has surged to $3.72 a gallon, up from $2.93 just a month ago, as the conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, continues.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 11:14 UTC)

On March 16, Trump announced that he has requested military assistance from about six countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the importance of collaboration from nations that rely heavily on the strait for their economies. He also indicated that he would be delaying his trip to China by about a month due to the ongoing war with Iran, planning to use the visit to encourage Beijing to join this coalition. Trump's comments reflect his belief that countries dependent on the strait should step up and assist in its protection, as he stated, "They should come, and they should help us protect it."

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 09:11 UTC)

Yesterday, President Trump revealed that he has been in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about the possibility of escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, expressing frustration that some nations are not eager to join the coalition. He emphasized that countries whose economies rely heavily on the strait should contribute to its security, mentioning that he has reached out to about seven allies for military support. Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is essential for market stability but is not an easy task.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 07:20 UTC)

Today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed diplomats to advocate for collective action against Iran and its proxies by March 20, while Central Command reported that 13 U.S. troops have been killed and 200 injured in the ongoing conflict. As of March 16, the U.S. has spent $12 billion on the war, and President Trump indicated that the conflict could extend until September, noting varying enthusiasm among countries about joining the coalition to escort oil tankers through the vital Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also commented on a potential delay of Trump's upcoming trip to China, as the administration seeks to bolster support from nations reliant on this critical waterway.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 03:44 UTC)

Yesterday, Trump commented on the varying levels of enthusiasm among countries joining the coalition to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, noting the U.K.'s reluctance to send two aircraft carriers at the U.S. request. He also indicated that the ongoing war could last until September, although he expressed skepticism about that timeframe, stating, "I don't believe it will be long." Meanwhile, the average gas price has surged to $3.72 a gallon, up from $2.93 just a month ago, as Iran's Health Ministry reported over 1,400 fatalities and more than 18,500 injuries since late February.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:25 UTC)

Today, President Trump announced he is delaying his trip to China by about a month due to the ongoing war with Iran, which has now lasted three weeks. In a statement made last Monday, Trump revealed he has reached out to several countries, urging them to send warships to help reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has already resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. troops and injuries to 200 others, with the U.S. spending an estimated $12 billion so far, including $5.6 billion in munitions dropped in the first two days of fighting. As a result of the war, gas prices have surged to $3.72 per gallon, up from $2.93 just a month ago, while oil prices have jumped about 40% since the U.S. and Israel initiated their attacks on Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed diplomats to advocate for collective action against Iran, with a deadline for delivering messages set for March 20.