President Donald Trump has criticised China and US allies for not responding to his request to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil trading route that oversees the transportation of 20% of the world's oil supply. He has asked seven countries to send ships to ensure the shipping lane stays open during the Iran-Iran war, but none have responded. This comes despite the vast majority of the oil flowing through the strait being transported to Asia, where China, which receives 45% of its oil via the Strait, receives 38% of this oil. Despite Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterating that the passageway is "closed to enemies" of Tehran, with Iran using it as an economic weapon, Trump has reached out to America’s allies to secure the crucial waterway. However, public responses have been tepid given Iran's dominance over the passageeway and repeated attacks on tankers and merchant vessels trying to cross since the war began. With the closure of the Strait shut down, oil prices have increased by nearly 40% since the conflict, with Brent hitting $102.27 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude at $94.36 on Monday.