Trump Withdraws '20% Toll' Plan, but Iran Rejects Negotiations

[Anchor]

U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his plan to impose a toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz just one day after announcing it. The plan, which even his own aides were unaware of, faced strong backlash from Middle Eastern nations. Meanwhile, Iran continues its attempts to solidify control over the strait by proposing a new shipping route to Oman.

Washington correspondent Jeon Byeong-nam reports.

[Reporter]

President Trump has reversed his stance just one day after declaring that he would impose a 20% toll on the value of cargo for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

He stated that he had "productive conversations with Middle Eastern leaders" and that he would replace the 20% toll with trade and investment agreements with those nations.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: They said, 'We would like to make massive investments in the United States instead of paying fees.' I actually like that. Because I don't think anyone should be charging a toll for this strait or any other strait.]

Trump claimed he changed his position due to requests from Middle Eastern leaders, but analysts suggest he was influenced by opposition from Middle Eastern allies and criticism from the international shipping industry.

It is reported that several high-ranking officials from the Middle East directly requested that Trump withdraw the toll.

Notably, White House staff were also caught off guard by Trump's toll proposal. CNN reported that "aides had been discouraging the idea of imposing tolls, citing concerns over international law violations and potential oil price hikes," and that they had to "scramble to review specific measures after Trump's unilateral announcement."

While the toll plan has been scrapped for now, international oil prices have continued to rise for two consecutive days due to the uncertainty surrounding Trump's unpredictable policy shifts and tensions stemming from the potential resumption of a U.S. maritime blockade.

Iran has dismissed Trump's call to return to negotiations, declaring that it will not bow to the United States.

[Kazem Gharibabadi / Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: Their (U.S.) demand for Iran to return to negotiations is an absolutely unacceptable request.]

Furthermore, Iran asserted that it maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz despite U.S. aggression and announced that it has proposed a new shipping route to Oman, which shares the strait.

(Video reporting: Park Eun-ha, Video editing: Lee Seung-yeol)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.