Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, expressed opposition to toll charges in straits lacking man-made structures following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 20% levy on cargo vessels for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Tajani emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and criticized the idea of tolls in such areas, highlighting the potential global repercussions.
Tajani cited examples like the Suez and Panama Canals, where tolls are justified due to man-made canals, contrasting them with the notion of tolls in other locations. He stressed that for a major exporter like Italy, paying tolls for strait transit is deemed unacceptable, given that exports contribute significantly to the country’s GDP. The principle of freedom of navigation remains paramount for Italy, leading to its firm stance against tolls in straits.
The Baltic and International Maritime Council cautioned that US-imposed tariffs could further disrupt traffic in the vital Strait of Hormuz, already experiencing recent slowdowns. Trump’s call for wealthy Gulf nations to reimburse the US for safeguarding strategic regions, despite reduced oil dependency, underscores his push for financial support from countries benefiting from American military presence. Trump highlighted the US role in protecting key Gulf partners like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
