British Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls for the Strait of Hormuz to remain restriction-free after US President Donald Trump threatens to impose charges on ships using the strategic route. Multiple reports describe Starmer’s position as opposing any measures that would require additional fees or limits for vessels transiting the sea lane. The proposal is framed by critics as “economic extortion,” particularly because the strait is a critical corridor for global energy shipments. The coverage also notes that the issue is being presented in the context of broader tensions and potential changes to how shipping is regulated or charged, with the US indicating it could levy tolls tied to the use of the waterway. While outlets differ in how they characterize the dispute, they converge on the central points: Starmer’s call for unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz and Trump’s threat to introduce tolls for vessels. The reports reflect concern about the impact of any charges on maritime trade and energy supply routes that rely on the strait.