Full Breakdown
US-China Consensus Opposes Shipping Tolls in the Strait of Hormuz
5/13/2026, 11:43:09 PM
US-China Consensus on Hormuz Toll Policy
Senior U.S. and Chinese officials announced a stance that no nation may impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The position was disclosed after an April phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It precedes a summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping later in the week. Iran has closed the strait and demanded tolls since the U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on 28 February, while the United States maintains a naval blockade and has floated its own fee proposals. Before the conflict, the waterway handled one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments.
Timeline
- 28 Feb 2026 – U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
- Apr 2026 – Wang Yi and Rubio discuss tolls by phone.
- 11 May 2026 – Rubio talks with Australian and British foreign ministers.
- 12 May 2026 – Joint U.S.–China statement released.
- Late May 2026 – Trump-Xi summit scheduled.
Data
The strait previously carried about 20 % of world oil and LNG. A May 2024 market snapshot showed a rise in ship-transit confidence, with “YES” odds of 0.2 % for 15 May and 8.5 % for month-end.
Official Statements & Responses
U.S. officials said tolls breach free-navigation norms and urged Iran to stop “illegal tolls.” They are drafting a U.N. resolution to end attacks and toll collection, though they expect Chinese and Russian vetoes. Chinese representatives emphasized “safe and stable” passage, rejected tolls, and said unimpeded traffic serves the international community’s common interest. Beijing also instructed Chinese firms not to comply with U.S. sanctions on oil refineries buying Iranian crude.
Criticism & Opposition
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz accused Beijing of “tolerating Iran holding the global economy at gunpoint.” President Trump has floated U.S. fees or joint toll collection with Iran. Chinese officials have not directly addressed the suggestion that Chinese vessels might pay tolls.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two sources say Rubio raised the idea of Chinese vessels paying tolls, yet Chinese officials gave no explicit response and the State Department released no call transcript, leaving the discussion’s exact content unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
1. “They agreed that no country or organization can be allowed to charge tolls to pass through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz,” — Tommy Pigott, State Department spokesman
2. “Keeping the area safe and stable and ensuring unimpeded passage serves the common interest of the international community,” — Liu Pengyu, Chinese embassy spokesperson
3. “ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, to argue that Beijing was tolerating Iran holding the global economy at gunpoint.” — Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
What’s Next
Trump-Xi summit will test U.S.–China stance. U.N. deliberations on an anti-toll resolution are expected, while both sides watch Iran’s policy moves and naval activity in the strait.
