President Trump announced a plan to impose a 20 percent fee on all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint. The proposal marks a significant shift in U.S. maritime policy, as the waterway handles roughly one-fifth of global petroleum shipments.

The announcement contradicts his own administration's longstanding legal position that such transit fees violate international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Legal experts note that the strait is an international waterway where freedom of navigation is guaranteed.

Shipping industry groups immediately criticized the move, warning it would increase global energy costs and disrupt supply chains. Iran, which borders the strait, has previously threatened to close the passage during tensions, raising concerns about escalation.

The White House has not detailed enforcement mechanisms or whether allies were consulted. Congressional leaders from both parties questioned the authority to impose such fees unilaterally.