President Donald Trump reverses course on a proposed 20% cargo fee for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which had been floated as a “United States Reimbursement Fee.” Multiple outlets report that Trump withdraws the plan after about one day, saying the United States will “replace” the fee with trade and investment deals that Gulf states will make with the U.S. The earlier proposal came alongside Trump messaging that the U.S. would act as a “guardian” of the waterway and seek reimbursement for safeguarding cargo, following a statement about “reinstating” an “Iranian blockade.” Several reports characterize the reversal as a U-turn. They also cite Trump attributing the change to “highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership.” While the outlets differ mainly in framing and wording, they converge on the core development: the 20% fee is abandoned, and the administration instead turns to negotiated commercial arrangements with Gulf countries as compensation for security-related concerns involving the strategic chokepoint.