Europe Looks to Contain Trump’s Fury as It Hosts Hormuz Summit

WATCH: The UK and France are hosting a summit to discuss setting up a naval force that would ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Oliver Crook reports.Source: Bloomberg

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By Ellen Milligan and Ania Nussbaum

April 16, 2026 at 9:30 PM UTC

The UK and France will host a summit Friday to discuss setting up a naval force that would ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as Europe seeks to rebut US claims that it’s not doing enough to secure the waterway.

The so-called Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative would be “strictly defensive in nature,” the UK said in a statement — underscoring how European leaders have no intention to help force a reopening of the Strait as President Donald Trump has demanded.