WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 22: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on June 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump signed two orders on quantum computing. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly scrapped a planned 20 percent levy on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz amid clashes with Iran, saying he would instead seek compensation from Gulf allies via trade deals.
Trump said Middle Eastern leaders persuaded him to reduce the toll just a day after he announced it — and added that he was against charging any fees for the key waterway.
“Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
He said he would continue with a “FULL Blockade” on ships coming to and from Iranian ports, set to restart at 2000 GMT Tuesday, or ships carrying anything have to do with Iranian cargo.
