"Not perfect, but it's France"  -Trump gives Macron ‘8 out of 10’ on assisting with Strait of Hormuz

Record ID: 2365715

  • Title: "Not perfect, but it's France"  -Trump gives Macron ‘8 out of 10’ on assisting with Strait of Hormuz
  • Date: 16th March 2026
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 16, 2026) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) WIDE OF WHITE HOUSE EVENT  (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPORTER OFF CAMERA ASKING:     "Have you been speaking with the French President Macron about the coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?" (SOUNDBITE) (English)  U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:      "Yes, I have spoken to him. He's been, on a scale o
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Donald Trump Emmanuel Macron France Strait of Hoormuz United Kingdom
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C.,  UNITED  STATES 
  • City: WASHINGTON, D.C.,  UNITED  STATES 
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,North America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001454316032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (March 16)  said he had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron, who he said was willing to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
        Trump repeated his call to nations to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz, and complained that some were not very enthusiastic about providing help to Washington.
        Trump wants nations to help police the strait after Iran responded to U.S.-Israeli attacks by using drones, missiles and mines to ‌effectively close the channel for tankers that usually transport a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas. 
        Trump said he has spoken with Macron adding "He's been, on a scale of 0 to 10, I'd say he's been an 8. Not perfect, but it's France, we don't expect perfect," during a White House event.  
        He also said some nations did say they would be willing to help but Trump did not utter the names of any countries.
        U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have jolted global energy markets, sending ​oil prices higher and raising gasoline costs for U.S. consumers. The surge threatens to complicate Trump's domestic economic ​agenda and could weigh on Republican prospects in November midterm elections.
        Several U.S. allies said on Monday they had no immediate plans to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
    Germany, Spain and Italy were among allies that ruled out participating in any mission in the Gulf, at least for now. Other countries were more circumspect, with Britain and Denmark saying they would consider ways they might help, but emphasizing a need to de-escalate and avoid getting dragged into the war.
    (Production: Kia Johnson) 
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