U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a proposal to impose a 20% fee on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that the United States will serve as the "guardian" of the strategic waterway.
The announcement, reported by Yonhap, marks a significant escalation in American pressure on regional shipping lanes and introduces a new layer of geopolitical risk to global trade routes.
The proposal targets one of the world's most vital energy corridors, through which a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Imposing a toll on commercial traffic could immediately increase freight costs for energy shipments and complicate logistics for major importers in Asia and Europe.
The move also raises questions about enforcement mechanisms and the potential for retaliatory measures from regional actors.
Markets are likely to react to the heightened uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.