China's Free Ride on U.S. Efforts to Secure Hormuz

Source: thediplomat.com

The article examines how the U.S. under Trump is shouldering the burden of securing the Strait of Hormuz - through which one-fifth of global traded oil passes - while urging free-riding nations like China to contribute warships. It highlights China's heavy dependence on the strait amid soaring oil prices and an Asian energy crisis, yet Beijing's refusal to help. This matters because disruptions threaten world economies, especially China's slowed 4.5-5% growth target for 2026.