The President of the USA, Donald Trump, has proposed the idea of a partnership to introduce transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. The European Commission has opposed the initiative.
The European Commission has firmly rejected any attempt, whether from Iran or the United States, to impose taxes on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, however recognizing that the final decision to pay or not belongs to the affected companies, writes Euronews.
“International law provides for freedom of navigation, which means that no fee or tariff should be paid”, a spokesperson for the Commission declared on Thursday afternoon, in response to a question from Euronews. “The Strait of Hormuz, like any other maritime route, is a public good of all humanity, which means that navigation must be free. Freedom of navigation must be restored.”
The reaction comes a day after Donald Trump sparked concern in Europe, suggesting a partnership with Tehran to implement a transit tax system on this essential route for the transport of oil, gas and fertilizers.
“It’s a way to secure it, but also to protect it from many others”, Trump declared for ABC News. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson, later said that the idea “will continue to be discussed“, but emphasized that the “immediate priority” is the reopening of the maritime route “without any restrictions, whether in the form of taxes or otherwise”.