Hegseth Blasts Europe, Asia for ‘Freeriding’ on US Hormuz Action
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European and Asian countries for relying on the US military to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz after it was closed by the war against Iran.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European and Asian countries for relying on the US military to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz after it was closed by the war against Iran. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.“Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for freeriding is over,” Hegseth said at a news conference on Friday. “America and the free world deserve allies who are capable, who are loyal.”The Pentagon chief said the US blockade of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil and gas flows out of the Persian Gulf, is growing stronger each day after reports that some vessels were circumnavigating US Navy vessels in the area.The US launched the blockade amid Iranian resistance to President Donald Trump’s demands for a ceasefire, with the strait largely closed to tanker traffic by Iranian threats — raising global energy prices significantly since the US and Israel launched the war in late February. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Trump has called on European allies and others — including geopolitical rival China — to help reopen and police the vital waterway for oil and gas flows out of the Persian Gulf, though most countries have not agreed to send vessels amid an active war.Hegseth once again stressed that Europe and Asia were more reliant on oil and gas coming out of the Persian Gulf than the US, noting there was now a “new global conga line headed to Texas, a beautiful picture” — a reference to US oil exports.“We are not counting on Europe but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do and might want to start doing less talking and having less fancy conferences in Europe and get in a boat,” Hegseth said.Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2026 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.