Donald Trump says he is “very surprised” Australia has not sent warships to aid in opening the strait of Hormuz as the blockade of the key strategic route for global oil supply continues to impact fuel prices.
“I was very surprised,” the US president said in Washington on Friday when asked what he took issue with regarding Japan, South Korea and Australia.
“Well, they should get involved and I was a little bit surprised that they said no, because we always say yes to them,” he told Sky News Australia.
Trump did not answer when asked what Australia had said no to.
Earlier this week, Trump slammed Japan, Australia and South Korea for saying they would not be sending warships to the Gulf.
“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East,” the social media post read.
“We no longer ‘need’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.”
Also on Friday, the president lashed out at Nato, describing alliance members as “cowards” for not wanting “to help open” the strait of Hormuz.
The globally important shipping lanes between Oman and Iran have been closed since shortly after the latest Middle Eastern conflict began three weeks ago, sending shockwaves through fuel markets.
The International Energy Agency has warned the conflict, prompted by US-Israel strikes on Iran in February, is the “greatest threat to global energy supply in the history of the world”.
Customers across Australia are seeing its effects, with surging prices at petrol stations, including one regional New South Wales fuel retailer this week charging $3.39 a litre for both unleaded petrol and diesel and, in Sydney, diesel prices above $3/l.
On Saturday, the treasurer praised the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s urgent interim authorisation on fuel supply, which allows companies to discuss, exchange information about and coordinate fuel supply across Australia as a “decisive action to … keep fuel flowing to where it’s most needed”.
The authorisation does not enable fuel suppliers to share information about pricing, the ACCC said in a statement on Friday.
“It’s really important that the big players in the fuel markets don’t treat this as a chance to disadvantage the independents who play a vital role including in regional Australia,” Jim Chalmers said, adding that “anyone breaking the rules must have the book thrown at them.”
To counter escalating fuel costs, DoorDash on Saturday announced a temporary fuel relief program, acknowledging the “significant challenge” of rising fuel costs for its drivers.
Cash relief will be given to drivers who complete 100km or more in deliveries per week, the costs of which will not be passed on to customers.
On Friday, Uber announced it would raise prices to strike “the right balance between supporting strong earning opportunities for driver partners while continuing to offer reliable, affordable options for riders.”
In a statement, the rideshare company said the hike would increase driver earnings by an average of 6% across Australia.
“We know operating costs, including fuel, remain front of mind for many driver partners, making continued support more important than ever”, the company said in a statement.
Its competitor, DiDi, raised prices earlier this week, with customers across Australia now paying an extra 5c per kilometre.
